looking back now
i can see the version of me
that always puts others first
that went above and beyond
for ones who wouldn’t do
the same for her..
i can see how much she struggled
and was suffering in silence
i sometimes wondered
if i was the bad guy
but then i look at
the scars on my thigh
and all the pain i kept inside
carrying shame that isn’t mine
for every time i stayed quiet
for every time i was belittled
..called names
and left shattering
trying to put back something
i never broke
chose to cut my own skin
because it was the only way
i could let out the venom
they’ve spilled onto me
than fight back or cause harm
so no..dear self,
you weren’t the villain
when you stood up for yourself
you weren’t the villain when you
owned your truth
when you stopped believing
the lies they fed you on a silver spoon
you stayed because you kept hoping
for a change that never came
for an apology that wasn’t arriving
and you were surviving..
but now it’s time to let go
heal and move forward
because the battles
you’ve fought
and the scars you carry
are no signs of weakness
but strength and resilience
and you’re still here standing
you’re still here learning
you’re still here growing
turning every ache
into a beautiful lesson
to finally see how much worthy
you are of the love, understanding
and kindness..that you pour into
others..there is no one else
more deserving of it
than yourself.