Take Away the Ashes (a sestina)

They say our bones can be broke with stones and sticks
but harsh words are never enough to strip
anyone, as if their heart's been pierced by something sharp
And the lacerated organ shoved to swelter through a fire
So nothing is left but pain and ashes
Ans hope and trust suffer attrition to fear

But they're wrong because from words come some of our greatest fears
And the sorrow that follows won't go away, it sticks
Evil winds come along and into your face they blow the ashes
of everyone who has found a way to take your pride, and strip
it away and carelessly toss it to the fire
You feel nothing but the loss and burn, the pain is sharp

The heartbreaking sobs, the music of my life, hit a sharp
All I have left is that solitude that I fear
The demons of the world laugh and open fire
Shooting their arrows, guilt and regret, they stick
in my side and as I rip them out, the strips
of flesh hurt so bad it feels so good, cleansing ashes

As all I am turns to less than worthless ash
I see I'm no comparison to everyone else dressed so sharp
I lie on the floor in strips
Of what used to be me but I fear
This is what everyone wants, for me to be a twig, a stick
Merely fodder for the fire

Inside me there's this passion, raging like a fire
Some see it only creating ash
and consuming things we need, but no one needs sticks
I'm pretty smart, pretty sharp
I understand their fear
But this hope for no more homicidal words can't be stripped

I refuse to let you strip
this life from me, its my job and I won't be fired
No more fear
No more ash
No more daggers so sharp
Dull them down so they can no longer stick

Strip away my fear
Don't let it stick so sharp
Let the only ashes I know be from physical fire