But only in my own manner
Others might see it as selfless
But only in their own manner
It’s simple really
Selfish is just my own thing

How shall I endure
the ineffable waves of dolor?
Can this apotheosis of hell be dreed?
Will the unquenchable flames of dread ever be conquered?
Whether by the hands of man
or by the temptation of sword against vein.

To bite your tongue
and choke down blood
is to live a selfless life.

Some aren't as lucky
and drown in their secrets
and they are called selfish

for not being able to do
what others don't have to.

A prayer whispered from a child's lips brought out of fear from a little one's heart.
For hopes that her father will beat her mother tonight instead of her.
Curled up in the corner of her closet apologizing over and over for her selfishness.
The screams from outside her door drowning her innocence in despair and fear that tomorrow it might be her turn.
The man who made her call him "Dad" had completely broken down her mother and every other woman who came into his life.
He made them all believe that they are nothing without him and without him they have nothing.
Financial, spiritual, mental and physical *******.
To the women who came around just to leave, leave her with him.
Too afraid to speak up, afraid for their lives.
The lies he filled her head with the first 13 years of her precious life. The man who helped bring her into this world just to make her hate it the most.
The blood on his fists and his breath in her ears.
"You're mine till you're 18."