Hard Words
written by: Jennifer Rescigno
The hardest word to hear is “like”
when you love.
Knowing that your feelings will remain your own.
Never returned, unrequited.
The fragile island on which your feet rest
moves farther out into a sea of turmoil.
Emotions boiling and bubbling, moving from
confusion to anger to hurt to sadness and back,
knowing your favorite person will continually hurt you.
The hardest word to hear is “love”
when you like.
Knowing that every word you utter
may cause inadvertent hurt.
Never intended, unsolicited.
Balanced precariously on eggshells,
trying desperately not to cause harm.
Harming yourself in the process, creating deep
craters in your psyche, knowing that you
unintentionally hurt your favorite person.
Latest posts by Jennifer Rescigno (see all)
- Hard Words - February 2, 2026



