I Wrote a Harsh Letter

I wrote a harsh letter and tore it up...

"Sticks and Stones

May break my bones

but names will never hurt me"

has been stuck in a loop 

running through my mind

never ending

trying to remind me 

that people are indeed people.

I try to make excuses for 

the significant ones in my life

"Oh, he is just kidding"

"She is just a child"

"I am sure that he was just tired"

yet the repeated offences

are wearing a rut into my brain

turning off the love valve

and I stop feeling

because when I feel

I just hurt 

because deep inside

I am just a child

wanting approval

only to be slapped down by another

insult

cruel comment

degrading name

constant analysis of my mental state

He claims that I have taken his children

yet

He has taken away

my innocence

my trust

my belief in love

my zest for life

Cruel things that are spoken

without restraint

without filters

may contain certain truths

but have caused permanent damage

and have abused our love.