I jog past the volleyball net

Ball in my hands

Warming up for the game

Your voice crashes over me 

Like a giant wave that can’t be stopped 

Taunting.

Like pins and needles in my skin

As excruciating as a fork scraping a plate

Like a pebble in my shoe that I can’t get out

Continuous as a song stuck on repeat in my head 

Taunting.

It’s my turn to serve 

Your voice floats to me through the net

Like a mosquito buzzing in my ear

Taunting. 

As shrill as an alarm clock on a Saturday morning

Like a persistent itch in the middle of my back 

As ear-piercing as a car alarm that won’t stop blaring 

Louder 

And louder 

Taunting.