Battleground

In the second grade was the first time she was called ugly
They say sticks and stones can break your bones
But the words that we are called don't cripple our minds with doubt
She was moved to the back of the room
To stop getting berated by spit balls
The school halls were battlefields
She trying to dodge the words shaped like grenades
The playground was worse
She practiced running away to keep safe
Or she would stand perfectly still hoping not to be noticed
Kids can be so hurtful
She has never recovered
Despite a loving spouse who would call her a success
Despite a great job and career
She does not think she is beautiful
Just because of a birth mark that takes about half of her face
The kids use to yell
She looks like a wrong answer someone tried to erase
But couldn’t quite get the job done
She is beautiful in her way
You have to see her heart before you see her skin
But kids are so shallow
And that is why public school is always a battleground
How many of us truly survive unscathed?