Truth

    Sticks and stones may break my bones,

             But words can also hurt me.

         Stones and sticks break only skin, 

    While words are ghosts that haunt me.

Slant and curved the fall word-swords

To pierce and stick inside me. Bats and bricks may ache through bones. 

But words can mortify me. 

Pain from words has left its scar

On mind and heart that's tender 

Cuts and bruises now have healed;

It's words that I remember.