Ode to the Viking Crier

I started by calling them out

In the form of a six paragraph article

In a newspaper called The Viking Crier

Out of their comfortable judgments

Into the cold, the sharp reality of unkindness and hurt

It hurt

And who knew that six paragraphs could ever make you feel so much

Like wolves, they descended on me

They snapped and bared their teeth

Seeking exposed flesh

And insecurities accidentally left uncovered

They threw their opinions into my stomach

They spat their criticisms in my face

But then one--raised his head from his desk

And his name was boy

HIs name was popular

His name was quiet

His name was validation

He waved a flag of defiance above those wolves

And melted the fur off their hides

Baring their human skin to the elements of reality

This is real

Then he locked eyes with mine

Me--whose name was girl

My name was isolation

My name was look-down-because-you-didn't-know-it-could-be-like-this

My name was scared

And he nodded at me in the most comforting way

With that nod, and his determined expression

He changed my name

Changed it to Hold Your Head Up

To Not Alone

To Don't You Dare Give Up

His nod said:

"Those six paragraphs in the Viking Crier

They made me feel

Who knew they could make me feel so much

But I am not afraid of it."