As if it were one word,
Yet it catches differently.
Someone it will tear,
Someone it will heal and lift,
Someone it will leave in a couldn’t-care-less ravine.

You won’t always guess
How they’ll take it.
You wish them well —
They’ll call you evil.

I speak to myself —
I gather for myself.
Someone overheard —
For others’ thoughts
I am not responsible.
Their ears.