Hurts Poem by Nina Dringo

We all
Hurt others
Unconsciously
Or aiming for pain

We all cry
After someone screams at us
We wonder - why?
And beg for forgiveness.

We all
Want to be loved
For precisely who we are
Want to be wanted
And cared for
Forever
No matter how adult we think we are.

None of us
Want others to put us down
Sneer false words
That we begin to believe are true
We can kid ourselves
That we will be all right
That this doesn't hurt us

But just remember
Before you lash out
And blame others
For your pain
Again
Remember
It hurts.