Shut it (and other words)

      Ever felt like you’ve been punched by words

like your father, mother, brother, you’re whoever-

who once spoke harsh to you in the past

stood right there before you in another’s shoes.

They tell you, will swear to you even

that it was said in fun, for goodness sake

you’re too sensitive, too defensive

as you feel yourself winded by the blow,

you’ll want to blow them back down

watch them fall- now that you can.

Then they can say from behind cupped hands

that it’s probably just your time of the month.