{Poem} The Wall

I am tougher than I was at 12.

I am stronger than I was at 13.

I am wiser than I was at 14.

Because the harsh words
and the cruel lies
and the sexist jokes, that filled the air
of that Pointless Institution we call middle school,
created a fortress around my heart.
Hammered together
by the.
relentless.
action.
of the.
pecking.
order.

They did not bring me down like
they thought they would but
instead built me up.
Brick-by-brick,
each word adding mortar.
Adding to my resilience.
Until I was a suit of armour.

Until nothing
could get in.

And nothing
could get out.

I only hope,
That someone somewhere
is brave
enough
to
scale
the
wall.