anyone can speak at me
anyway they want

"you're too this,"
"you're too that."

all they ever do is taunt

when i stand up for myself
— a fault, apparently —
their jaws drop and their eyes pop

"why are you yelling at me?"

sorry that i have feelings
sorry that i have pride
sorry that i have to be
the only one on my own side

sorry i don't want to be belittled

sorry i can't be berated

sorry that you call this love

when all i feel is hated