(A line represents a new verse...because FictionPress will not leave gaps...)

Sticks and stones can break my bones,

But words will never hurt me.

Throw a stone in my face,

Then watch the blood leak out my eye.

Throw a word in my face,

Then watch the tears that I cry.

Throw a stick at my feet;

Sticks will always be sticks.

Throw a word at my feet;

It becomes a tonne of bricks.

Hit me with a weapon

And I won't shed a tear.

Hit me with an insult

And I'll cower down in fear.

These people want to hurt me,

And I don't know why.

But they know what to say,

For them to see me cry.

They don't use a weapon;

No gun to my head.

They do something far worse;

They insult me instead.

They say that words can never hurt me,

But I beg to disagree.

Because a sword can cut right through my skin,

But a word can cut through me.