sticks and stones

he fell in love today
with a boy from a book
and then couldn't tell anybody
for fear of being called
a fag.

she turned her back today
on her family
because she was tired of being called
insufficient.

he tried out today
for a sport he hates
because he was sick of being called
a geek
by the girl he loved.

she swore herself to celibacy
after going to church today
for fear of being called
a sinner
and a whore.

i told a lie today
and said, "i'm fine"
because i'm tired of being called
pathetic.

the only thing we have in common
is that we all wear long-sleeved shirts
in summertime
because deep down, we're all tired
of being called

cutters.