"Lessons," Con't

This next poem goes with the Lessons Set. It's called Lessons in the Truth and I was trying desperately to explain the pain that rumors bring. Sounds like a silly, basic idea. But people just don't get it until they've had a nasty rumor spread about them...and even then, sometimes they just keep on spreading lies! Or truths, depending. But either way. Here it is:

when They see her, They grow quiet
while slicing her with stares
Their heavy silence traps her
handing her despair

when finally she turns away
They open their mouths to speak
not to console her or to heal her heart
but to quietly critique

Their harsh words seek to find her
and wrap around her throat
the inky tendrils touch her skin
causing her to choke

as she fights to free herself
the lies control her more
snaking up to fill her mouth
while ink continues to pour

it slithers up to seal her eyes
and she cannot see to run
so she falls to her knees and tries to pray
but Their work is done

all Their words have killed her
the dark ink stains her skin
They had Their fun but didn't know
all the pain she held within

Thoughts?