If only they knew

How their words hit me

Like bullets from a gun.

If only they knew

How broken they have made me.

If only they knew

How their words echo in my head

Like a song on repeat.

If only they knew 

That I hurt myself

So that they can't hurt me nearly as bad. 

If only they knew

That I can't stand to look in the mirror.

If only they knew 

How much they have made me hate myself.

If only it was true

That sticks and stones may break my bones

But words will never hurt me.

If only they knew

That I cry myself to sleep

Filled with dread of having to face their faces

That seem so different from mine.

If only they knew

How they torment me

Even when they aren't around. 

If only they knew this

Might they stop.

But they don't know.

They never will know. 

But when they find me,

Cold and long gone,

They will finally understand

That sticks and stones may break my bones,

But it was their words that killed me.