The words were not malicious

that is what gave them their power...

the power to bruise,

to bloody,

to maim beyond reason.

Unreasoning hurt

delivered by accident,

by thoughtlessness,

by you.

Drowning waves deconstruct my sandcastle self

built with care

and hope

and the wet sludge of a lie believed.

Revealing the falseness of hope

that I might be enough,

be desirable,

be one who belongs.

But I am who I have always been.

Just me.