Hate

The hate that ran from his lips
Nearly knocked me unconscious.
His words ripped through my heart
Everyone saw it.

Twenty-seven sets of eyes burned me,
Confused stares closing in,
The room began to shrink.
What was happening?

I shakily inhaled
And knew I had to run
My tears hit the floor
And then I was gone.

Heat radiated through my face
My eyes were on fire
The tears hoped to cool them
But the fire was too wild

My lungs begged for air
But something resisted
The short panicky breathing
Made me feel dizzy

Sudden fatigue consumed me
The cool bathroom wall
Prevented me from falling

I’ve gotten it together
But makeup streaked my face
My cheeks still burned red
As I quietly walked away.