My skin is thicker now,able to withstand even the hardestforce of neglect. I’ve been...

My skin is thicker now,
able to withstand even the hardest
force of neglect. I’ve been toughening 
myself up ever since I first felt 
the overwhelming strength
of insensitivity against my body.
The cruelty that was inside of his words
knocked the wind right out of me.
And it has taken me years to be able to
breathe on my own again.