sticks and stones

by Raine Wynd

random words in half-conversations
fall into my soul like seed pods
to act as scattered shots in
a on-going debate of the worthiness
of What We Have Together™:
they're a test of strength
that can slowly sap the soul
and all i can think of is sticks and stones

those words strip me raw
like a California wildfire on my heart
flaying me for learning chameleon skills
when i was only trying to please you
and still your sudden irritation surprises me
leaving me numb to the core
and all i can think of is sticks and stones