Only a Joke

It was only a joke, she said.

It was only a joke when you called me obese?

I was concerned about your health, she claimed.

It was only a joke when you called an embarassment?

Of course, I'd never mean that, she claimed.

It was only a joke when you laughed at me in the hallways?

I was not laughing at you, only a joke, she claimed.

It was only a joke when you spread rumors about me?

What rumors, she claimed.

The fear to see you

The fear of what you will say

Someone who was hiding behind this innocent facad

In front of the teachers.

Only a joke

Only concerned

Denying every bit of 

the torture you put me through. 

I needed to stand up for myself

I needed friends by my side.

I was no longer ruled by your terror 

and your jokes

were no longer funny.