Sticks and Stones
By Shae W.
Words like knives pierce my heart,
the pain I feel is breaking me apart.
Sticks and stones do not break my bones
but even the strongest find themselves all alone.
I walk the halls and smile wide
even though there is darkness inside.
I hear their whispers behind my back
and try to block it out, but the words attack.
My soul inside is grasping for light
but the darkness instead prepares to strike.
All I want to do is run from my fears,
escape this world and shed my tears.
A voice tells me I should give up,
that I am not beautiful and will never be enough.
My heart falls slowly and then it shatters
The pieces inside are infinitely scattered
It appears that all hope is lost,
an icy wind brings the frost.
But the voice inside pulses within.
Inside my heart where it should have been.
The voice grows louder until it screams,
and the courage in me begins to beam.
I realize their words made me stronger,
and I will not remain quiet any longer.
Now I will give the world my words,
to hear my voice so we can be heard.
We have been shrouded in darkness far too long,
and now it is time to return our fight song.
Hundreds of days and many years
we faked smiles and hid our tears.
Now we stand together as one
and the battle was long, but we have won.
Words like knives pierce my heart,
the pain I feel no longer tears me apart.
Sticks and stones do not break my bones,
and now I know I am not alone.