A Word That Haunts

September Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Shadows”

Some words are haunting evening shadows.

Some words people utter can get under your skin and make your core ice cold. It’s like an unexpected creepy shadow following you at night.

Below is a poem about one such word people use that stabs at my nerves.

Again — a free verse poem

There’s a word that hurts, I hear it often, too often. “Again!” A sharp claw pain.

A simple word, with power A simple word, that haunts like a specter shadow of doom. That demeaning word is “Again!”

Why, do you need to say, “Again,” again? You didn’t say anything yet. So why “Once more?” Is it a control word you use to show your superiority? A hint that I might be a bit daft cause I didn’t get it the first time around? A signal to me that I am not going to get it because you are so wonderful?

Is it your control word? To make your puppets feel small? A bully power word. When I hear it, I wanna scream, ‘cause I’m not stupid you know.

Thank you, Mary Chang Story Writer, for the great publication and interesting September Monthly Challenge prompt.