I try to speak
I try to express myself
I try to be present

My words are silenced
My expressions are distorted
My mind is trapped

Locked away deep inside
Is me

Somewhere deep down I still exist
but to you
there exist only a shell

A shell to protect a child within
A shell to protect me from toxic love
A shell to protect me from love
A shell to protect me from love
wait...

I need love