You tell me "At least you are lucky that your dad wasn't as harsh as mine"

You tell me a newly told, ancient tale
About how your dad violently hit you on your birthday
About how it was during your birthday party
About how your dad did terrible, terrible things

I didn't say anything
I never said how much that hurt
Felt like salt in a dearly loved wound

Later, I recall a newly unearthed, ancient tale
About how you screamed at me on my birthday
About how I remember many December 16s tinged in blue
About how my dad did terrible things too

We talked to reconcile both our bitter pasts
When does verbal abuse become abuse too?