I had slivers in my knees
From crawling on wooden floors,
I had blistered thumbs
From holding on so tight
So don't tell me
I let it happen

I stayed up all night,
Just trying to catch my breath,
Clawing at the air,
Begging for wind
To pick me up
So don't tell me
I let it happen

I was gagging over a ceramic bowl
With broken tile under my thighs
And I was still telling myself
I was gonna rise
So don't tell me I gave up

I woke up in a cold sweat,
But I woke up,
And I woke up,
And I woke up,
So don't tell me I gave up

I panicked in every corner
Of every room
And every alley way
From here to Hell
And back again
But I kept on ******* going
So don't tell me I fell short
On promises

I did everything I could
And when I couldn't
I did it anyway
So don't tell me I fell short
On promises

I sat in a lukewarm bathtub
With dry veins
Praying I leaked
The poison from my
Exhausted skin
So don't tell me
I didn't bleed enough

I coughed up crimson
From all the screaming
Muffled into a pillow
After hours under pressure
So don't tell me
I didn't bleed enough

Some things are hopeless,
But not worthless

There is value
In the process

I didn't make it
Not yet
And maybe
I never will
But I'm strong
And sturdy
And unafraid
All the same