Some old wounds never truly heal, and bleed again at the slightest word.

The line uses physical injury as a metaphor for psychological trauma and unresolved grief. “Old wounds” suggests experiences that were never properly processed or repaired; time alone does not guarantee recovery. The image of bleeding “at the slightest word” emphasizes how memory and language can act as triggers—casual remarks, names, or reminders can reopen pain that seemed dormant. The quote also implies a social dimension: other people’s speech can inadvertently (or deliberately) reactivate suffering, so emotional harm persists within relationships and communities. In Martin’s world especially, it resonates with cycles of vengeance and inherited grievance, where past injuries continue to shape present choices.