The first day of Kindergarten,
I was overwhelmed
By every face in the crowd
Swirling in, blurring together

And under my breath, I chanted
"I want to go home."
Like a prayer.

The day after, they found me
Blood soaking the bathroom floor
I was locked away
In the sterile white of it all.

And under my breath, I chanted
"I want to go home."
Like a prayer.

Years later, I woke up
With blackened eyes and a bruised ego
Next to him
Pretending it was all my fault.

And under my breath, I chanted
"I want to go home."
Like a prayer.

Now, after all this time
And growing up
I still lay in bed some nights
And plead
"I want to go home."