The Laughter Of An Accomplice

They laugh in hallways like it's nothing, throwing words around like paper balls, jokes sharpened just enough to sting, but never enough to cut them. They say it louder and louder testing those who flinch, test how far cruelty can go before someone calls it a name. But it isn't humor, it's a threat wrapped in a smirk, a warning disguised as confidence. A lesson taught too young and too often. Because some of us hear those jokes and feel our stomachs sink, because those words carry weight, they've never had to lift. And im tired- tired of swallowing rage to keep the peace tired of pretending "it's just a joke" doesn't rot the room. Because it isn't funny, it never was One day I hope that Laughter chokes on the truth they refuse to face- that their jokes are violent amd I'm done with being quiet. 🦋🦋🦋