‘The Wound’ by Ruth Stone describes with unflinching detail the harmful ways in which some words can inflict lasting hurt.
This poem by Ruth Stone is made all the more poignant and emotionally acute thanks to her powerful use of imagery and figurative language. Both its intensely personal perspective and succinct use of couplets are representative of the poet's deeply affecting style. All of which inspire a profound sense of empathy from the reader and a reflection on their own experiences.
The shock comes slowly
as an afterthought.
First you hear the words
and they are like all other words,