Deadnaming • 9/20/23
It’s dehumanizing to hear those words That dreaded combination of syllables I like to pretend aren’t real Unless they belong to someone else I tell myself I am immune I tell myself it doesn’t hurt But sometimes I fear I am lying to myself The truth hurts they say - why do words hurt so much? • I can’t write anymore… The problem isn’t that the words won’t flow But more so, I won’t let them. I won’t let the words come out of my pen, let alone my mouth For if I acknowledge myself, my reality… my existence With the life’s worth of pain that comes along with it By then, I fear, it will become true I will become aware… I do not want to become aware… Let me live in this peaceful bliss This dangerous silence I beg of you… I don’t wantto be hurt againto hurt any longer. - the voice of a child who is afraid