I always believed I was in the wrong
from the way they laughed
and called me a *****.
Their words ringing in my head
as the ringing of the school bell
meant that I would be safe again.
Safe from hateful eyes.
Safe from evil words.
Safe from “friends”.
Am I in the wrong?
For wanting to be pretty
like the girls on my feed?
For wanting to shed my skin to fit
into the standards set?

I tricked myself into thinking it was my fault.
I created lines on my body
to replicate the ones made on paper.
Some ragged and raised,
others seeping red.
I let their words settle
into my body like a parasite.
Damaging and eating away
at my resolution to keep on living.

-m.p