Sticks & Stones

By Laura LaJoie

Sticks and stones 
May have fractured 
My bones, 

But nothing  
Compares to the  

                                  C 

                                    R 

                                        I 

                                          P 

                                             P 

                                                L 

                                                   I 

                                                      N 

                                                          G 

Destruction words imprinted 
On my soul. 

As vultures plucked one 
By one, their talons stripped 
Me of my flesh, 

                                                    S  

                                                      H 

                                                         R 

                                                            E 

                                                               D 

                                                                  D 

                                                                      I 

                                                                         N 

                                                                            G 

The last ounce of dignity I had left. 

I convinced myself words 
Could never hurt me,  
While in reality,  
Words became 
The weapons that  
Tore me to shreds. 

Category: Poetry