You think you know the people.
Somewhere you felt safe
A place that you enjoyed
And suddenly
It’s changed.
It’s unfamiliar.
It’s frightening.
Normal routine---
Shattered
---by people you’ve never met
The Rhythm
Knocked
Off
Beat
By shouting,
taunting,
mocking.
Words you’ve never heard said in person
Words you never imagined would be thrown at you
(They’re just stupid kids,
Never mind what they say or do…
Try to brush them off, but the words are made of glue.)
Words that still hurt, no matter who says them
Words that stick to your skin
Long after they’re gone,
And you’re safe at home,
The words still echo
echo
echo
in your ears.