Just because you secured me
a great retirement
doesn’t mean
it wasn’t manipulation.
Comfort doesn’t erase control.

Just because you have
tears in your eyes
doesn’t mean it wasn’t coercion.
Tears don’t erase the truth.

Just because I asked you
to be a man
doesn’t mean your rage
wasn’t dominance.
Anger doesn’t erase accountability.

Just because you ask
if I want to go
to the mental hospital
doesn’t mean
it wasn’t gaslighting.
Silence doesn’t erase the suggestion.

Just because you say
that person is dead
doesn’t mean
there wasn’t damage.
Words don’t erase my pain.