one word

One word
Can make your knees buckle
One word
Your heart will race
One word
You life will change forever

What you say
Can mean
Even more
Than what you do

They say words are just words
Sometimes, yes
But often, no

It's muttered under a breath
It's said in supposed jest
It's blurted out without forethought
Or consideration of feelings
It's delivered slowly and sadly
Knowing its weight
Knowing it will mean
That the face of life will forever be changed.

It jabs like a knife
It sings
It causes an ache so deep
You want to run and hide.

That word - you don't react
Or you can't react
You cry, you gasp, you become
a ball of fury.

Do you use your own word
as a retaliation?
Do you turn around and deliver
your own blow?
You may want to
But can you?

What's the response?
How do you adjust, absorb, forgive, go on?