my heart hurt
with every laugh
every scarring word
engraved and pierced into
my ego

just a child
forced into silence
by your contempt
and obsession with self
and pity

who was i to love
when my reflection
only revealed the very
person you saw in me
and despised

your opposite
enveloped in silence
that caused you rage
depression, selfishness
and hate

you ask me for kindness
to appreciate you
and what you do
and have done
for me

you say that it seems
like i don't respect you
but  i am silent as always
yet in my mind
i assent

for who could
acknowledge
you whom couldn't
cry for anyone
but herself

and how could i
respect you when i still
haven't found myself or anyone
to love me in place
of you