Wounded

Drop me in the ocean I'll swim

Throw me in with the lions I'll roar

All hail the underdogs

All hail the new kids

It's our time to make a move

It's our time to make amends

It's our time to break the rules

Let's begin

Words are powerful.

They can lift us to the sky or drag us straight down to hell.

I've found that the words that wound the worst are the words that come out of the mouths of your parents.

I've been told I've ruined dinners.

That I don't have any respect.

That I don't do enough.

I've been told to shut my mouth when I was only trying to express myself.

I've been told to stop being so wild.

To speak in a "normal" accent when I was just having fun speaking in a different accent.

I've been told I'm a b***h.

That I am selfish.

Too boy crazy.

That I screw things up.

I've been told I am greedy.

Lazy.

I don't go to church enough.

I don't help around the house enough.

What hurt the most was today.

I was told I was in the wrong major.

And it was after my very first day of student teaching.

All because I wanted a break from crying children in my mothers home daycare.

These words that hurl me to the ground are like weights accumulating on my back.

They drown you.

They wound you.

You're gasping for air and try your best to touch the sky.

I sprint through the trees.

 I let their words go.

I let them go because I simply know.

I know that one day I'll make my parents proud.

They are wonderful parents and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

I might not be perfect.

But they taught me a very important lesson.

Words hurt.

and I will never inject this poison into my own future children.

I will not say something to make them doubt themselves and their worth.

Most heroes emerge from the rubble of wars.

From trauma.

From a bloody fight.

From darkness.

If you've  been killed on the inside with words, pat yourself on the back my friend.

We are heroes.

We are renegades.

We are brave.

We are strong.

Keep moving forward.

Author's Note

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree my friend.
"Most heroes emerge from the rubble of wars.
From trauma.
From a bloody fight.
From darkness. "
Easy life rarely is hard or dangerous life. Must test life and taste blood to know what life can be. No weakness in the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[dan]

Kathryn, After enduring all of those negative diatribes (probably designed to toughen you and develop a sharp inner strength) the fact that you endured all of that and are now student teaching (I have a niece that graduated from Clarion University in PA and immediately was hired to teach 3rd grade in a school in Charlotte, NC) speaks volumes about the inner strength you possess and how far it has driven you. The fact that you now say that you have wonderful parents shows that you believe the harsh rhetoric propelled you forward instead of knocking you down. GREAT for you, young lady!!! This is going to be saved in my library favorites, and thank you for THAT. take care...dan

[Kathryn Smith]

Thank you so much Dan. It means a lot!

[Kimberly Navarro]

wow, so true, so sad and such a powerful piece. yes I agree, words can cut you deep. I have a poem about a similar topic and one line goes: "sticks and stones may break my bones, but word can break my heart....Now I"m picking up my pieces that your words have torn apart." its about being broken hearted over the mean things some people say to us...If you are interested, I'd love to share my book with you.
https://www.createspace.com/5606572
Be blessed,
Kim

[Robert]

A heartfelt expressed piece here Kathryn, stay strong and keep fighting. Learn from the experiences that's what we are here for. Keep writing.

[Jordan Smith]

I love this story! There is an awesome display of character and integrity shown in this story. I loved every line of it!! Good Work Kathryn :)