Each word wounds you.
Boys being boys inflict pain.
First day to last day.
When you sleep the word
tumbles through your brain
doing more damage.
You tried disappearing
firing back
and standing mute.
It did not change your status
as victim, even though
you never played the race card.
Ten, twenty years on and still
nightmares catch your breath
and wake you gasping.
copyright © 2022 Kenneth P. Gurney
Umflop 