******
A word I have heard a thousand times
A thousand different ways
But has always sounded the same,
Like ignorance

A word that has never left me feeling worthless
Or unloved
Just misunderstood

Even when followed by being thrown into the bathroom stall of a Girl's gym  locker room
Or by the few friends I had left helping me clean up my battered face and the hide the bruises

I have always been proud of the term ****** because even though it was said to be offensive
I was being acknowledged as me

But when the word was spilled by the woman who once rocked me to sleep till I was no longer scared
The woman who has always protected me
It was then that all the pain I ever should have felt
Took a hold of my heart and ran it up to my throat until the pain leaked from my eyes
I was angry
I was sad
And I was scared
Because I knew that word was always followed by violence
And I didn't think that I would be able to walk with my head held high from this one
My face turned red and my blood turned cold and I watched my father defend me
Finally I stopped him and I looked at her
And I said yes, but I'm your ******

Soft lips kiss my soul
As a tender voice spells out love
She doesn't know what she does

Bright eyes to match her light heart
Too big for such a precious body

A laugh that can melt
The coldest of hearts
A smile that can brighten
The darkest of days

when she sings
The song birds listen with envy
Everything about her
makes my heart flutter
The butterflies in my stomach
Reach for her
Begging for and glimpse
At her imperfections
Because even her imperfections are perfect
Because they are her's

I wonder why she does this to me
Why she lies in my head
Gazing at the falling stars
Making me wish for her
But she doesn't know what she does

Forget for a moment
Forget the world around you
Forget the pain that you have felt
Forget that you are leaving

Remember for a moment
Remember the hope around you
Remember the love that you have felt
Remember you are here

Forgetting the bad and remember in the good is difficult
I know
But do it for me.

Forget for a moment
Forget what holds you back
Forget your fears
Forget that you are leaving

Remember for a moment
Remember what sets you free
Remember your dreams
Remember you are here

Forgetting the bad and remembering the good is difficult
I know
But do it for me

Your eyes had this special power
They would melt me
To the point of no return
They would send me to an unknown place
A place I had learned to love

A place where I could sleep at night
With your arms wrapped tightly around me
You'd whisper sweet nothings in my ear
And Kiss my lips
Soft
Gentlest

Come day we would still be together
With your hand wrested on my hip
My arms held you close
As we breathed each other in

This place I never wanted to leave
For with you
Is where I wished to stay

Fast forward
To the day that changed for you
The day you left me bleeding
With my bruised face
Fractured heart
And shattered pride

You came to me while I was still a girl
But you left me there a broken woman

I didn’t want you to touch me
I was a tease

I didn’t want to feel what you made me feel
I was a *****

It was all my fault
Right?

No.

I know now what YOU did
I know now that YOU are the monster

You told me I was a coward
But I am strong

I was afraid for my life

But, you sir, are the coward
Who is afraid to live.