The words come at me.
Absorb through my skin
Like a sponge, I take them in.

The words come at me.
Like a bee they sting
Like an odor they ling-er
Too late
They’re released
And can’t be unsaid.

The words come at me.
And attach to my being
Like a billboard on me
For all to see.

The words come at me.
They ring in my ears
Sing out my tears
And bring me more fears
Of being seen as something I’m not.

The words come at me.
Like a knife through the heart
Creating a wound
Refusing to heal
Scarring my skin
Like a tattoo in black ink.
Permanent.

The words come at me.
The words overcome me.
The words become me.
I become the words.
So they no longer hurt me.

All because
They called me a name
Other than
MacKenzie.