"Words That Hurt"

Aaliyah
Lincoln Magnet School
Sangamon County, IL

Every single second of the day there are voices in her head,
telling her she’s worthless, unwanted, just drop dead.
She hated her life because of the rumors they spread.

How could she not be upset?
Each name she has been called she never will forget,
second–guessing everything and filling with regret.
Her whole life she wants to reset.

Every night she painted.
It started in the 6th grade.
She wasn’t even afraid
the first time she cut her wrist with that blade.