Now You Know

[anonymous08]

what you would say, i can only guess

like the others, maybe

with tearful eyes, with shocked expression

wringing your hands like an old dishrag

over and over because you just, just -

stutter.

stop.

no one gave you words for this.

so you choke out some uselessness about

not . . . not understanding w-w-w-why i would

feel the need to . . .

and you wring wring wring those dishrag hands

that could turn on you

like mine did

and you realize you can't say the word

a euphemism.

self-harm.

the words they use that pretend there is no pain.

you say them new and foreign

but they're worn and sharp to me.

so now you know.

is that what you would say?