#microaggressions - Hello Poetry

Anxiety, anxiety, anxiety, let's talk about anxiety: The laughter felt hollow. "Just kidding!" they'd say, But the jokes they would tell held a sting in their play. Offensive and cruel, a twisted, mean rule, "We're not racist, we swear! We've a friend from your school!" But I was that token, the one they would name, While behind all the laughter, I felt only shame. A knife in my back, a malicious sharp crack, A constant reminder of all that I lack. One day, I strolled in, a grin on my face, Reception was cheerful, a welcoming space. Friends gathered quickly, all happy and loud, We played soccer together, praised high in the crowd. “Just kidding!” they laughed, as they tossed me the ball, But even then, a small shadow began to enthrall. The next day arrived, and their smiles felt so thin, Sweet words they would offer, but something felt grim. “Are you okay?” they would ask, with a glint in their eyes, But behind all the kindness, I sensed a disguise. A clinical comfort, wrapped tight in my fears, The laughter felt forced, after all the past years. So, I started to distance myself from the crew, But their antics just worsened, a horrible debut. Pretending to whip, with their laughter so loud, Making statements unworthy, they thrived in the crowd. Avoiding their taunts felt like such a lost game, But their mockery lingered, igniting the flame. Now, when I walk on, I feel eyes on my spine, A scrutiny’s grip, like I’m trapped in a line. Each shadow behind me, a judge with a scale, And I’m just the subject in this haunting tale. The world feels so heavy, their power’s a curse, I’m lost in the chaos—am I doomed to rehearse?

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Apr 19, 2025

Apr 19, 2025 at 9:05 PM UTC

Sirpoems

what is he on about

Anxiety, anxiety, anxiety, let's talk about anxiety: The laughter felt hollow. "Just kidding!" they'd say, But the jokes they would tell held a sting in their play. Offensive and cruel, a twisted, mean rule, "We're not racist, we swear! We've a friend from your school!" But I was that token, the one they would name, While behind all the laughter, I felt only shame. A knife in my back, a malicious sharp crack, A constant reminder of all that I lack. One day, I strolled in, a grin on my face, Reception was cheerful, a welcoming space. Friends gathered quickly, all happy and loud, We played soccer together, praised high in the crowd. “Just kidding!” they laughed, as they tossed me the ball, But even then, a small shadow began to enthrall. The next day arrived, and their smiles felt so thin, Sweet words they would offer, but something felt grim. “Are you okay?” they would ask, with a glint in their eyes, But behind all the kindness, I sensed a disguise. A clinical comfort, wrapped tight in my fears, The laughter felt forced, after all the past years. So, I started to distance myself from the crew, But their antics just worsened, a horrible debut. Pretending to whip, with their laughter so loud, Making statements unworthy, they thrived in the crowd. Avoiding their taunts felt like such a lost game, But their mockery lingered, igniting the flame. Now, when I walk on, I feel eyes on my spine, A scrutiny’s grip, like I’m trapped in a line. Each shadow behind me, a judge with a scale, And I’m just the subject in this haunting tale. The world feels so heavy, their power’s a curse, I’m lost in the chaos—am I doomed to rehearse?

33

My existence isn’t something you test out your empathy on My humanity is not something that asks for your sympathy My life and loves and lived experiences are liberated from your thin, watery approval Your opinion holds no bearing in my body.

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Jun 28, 2019

Jun 28, 2019 at 7:54 PM UTC

crepuscularrays

I want for nothing

My existence isn’t something you test out your empathy on My humanity is not something that asks for your sympathy My life and loves and lived experiences are liberated from your thin, watery approval Your opinion holds no bearing in my body.

8

The words I speak don't matter to those who don't listen. Screaming air to those who don't care. They think my lips spill poison and would rather sew them shut. And would rather mute my voice to their locked ears. I breathe fire baked from years and years of pressure from all around. All the little sparks and scars added up for so long until I can no longer hold it in my mind and heart. You may believe me to be overreacting to childish play or teasing words but what do you know? Do you care? Do you know what it's like in my shoes? Can you take all those pinpricks of pain from over the years and still stay sane? They'd rather have me stay quiet. Silent Don't start a ruckus or Complain. Out of the way and never bothering the structure of our world with my pain. And why? is maintaining a lie more important than my voice?

0

Sep 22, 2018

Sep 22, 2018 at 8:51 PM UTC

anh

Unwanted Words

The words I speak don't matter to those who don't listen. Screaming air to those who don't care. They think my lips spill poison and would rather sew them shut. And would rather mute my voice to their locked ears. I breathe fire baked from years and years of pressure from all around. All the little sparks and scars added up for so long until I can no longer hold it in my mind and heart. You may believe me to be overreacting to childish play or teasing words but what do you know? Do you care? Do you know what it's like in my shoes? Can you take all those pinpricks of pain from over the years and still stay sane? They'd rather have me stay quiet. Silent Don't start a ruckus or Complain. Out of the way and never bothering the structure of our world with my pain. And why? is maintaining a lie more important than my voice?

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