Paper-thin Armor

They called me names I never chose,
each word an insult dressed in dust.
It settled on my shoulders slow,
teaching me that silence could rust.

I walked the halls with careful steps,
learning how a glance could bruise,
how laughter sharp as broken glass
could make a heart forget its use.

Some days I felt so insecure,
like even light would pass me by—
a shadow stitched from whispered taunts,
a question mark against the sky.

But still I rose, though trembling, tired,
my paper-thin armor bending through—
and in the mirror found a spark,
a quiet voice that whispered: You.

Not what they said.
Not what they claimed.
Not what their hurt could ever weigh.

And though the wounds may take their time,
my spirit learns a brighter way.

Three Things Challenge #MM259 | pensitivity101

4 responses to “Paper-thin Armor”

  1. SRIKANTH Avatar

    This is absolutely breathtaking, Carol. You have taken a deeply painful experience and transformed it into something so strong and luminous. The imagery is stunning—”insult dressed in dust,” “laughter sharp as broken glass,” “a shadow stitched from whispered taunts”—each line paints a vivid picture of that specific, aching loneliness.

    But what truly moves me is the journey. You guide the reader from the weight of the insults to that incredible, defiant spark in the mirror. The shift to “You” is a moment of pure power and reclamation. It’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and it feels like a victory not just for the speaker, but for anyone who has ever felt diminished.

    Thank you for sharing this gift. It’s a reminder that our true names are not the ones others call us, but the one we whisper to ourselves. Beautiful, powerful work.🌷🤝

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carol anne Avatar

      Thanks for your feedback. Really appreciate you. X

      Like

  2. pensitivity101 Avatar

    This is another great piece Carol Anne. Thanks for using the 3TC, for standing tall, and beating them all. You are an amazing individual.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carol anne Avatar

      Thank you Di 💕

      Liked by 1 person

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