“Faggots”

“Faggots.” That’s what he said.

Didn’t see him. Sounded chavvy.

I clutched my boyfriend’s hand tighter, relieved it was only a word.

In that moment, I could feel my cheeks flush, my heart quicken.

Words will never hurt me the way a punch will,

The days of being punched in the stomach are long gone,

But they will always keep me on my guard.

Who’d have thought these modern city streets could play host to such trash?

Well, I never.

Though words will never hurt me, they’ll always keep me on my guard.