He told me
I was beautiful



O n c e



He told me
I was ugly


Countless times

In every way



His words always sharp
Laughing like a hyena
Circling a wounded prey


His words always cold
Laced with the venom of a snake
Slowly cutting every chord


His words always hollow


Resonating
With an empty soul
Lost in its darkest thoughts
That he had proven right


But then
He would tell me that

I was beautiful



O n c e







Again