Don't Tell

Grandpa bought me a package of makeup;

"Keep quiet about this," he said.

I didn't see any wrongs so i did.

I handed it back when my chest grew heavy.

 

I caught my brother obsessed with a boy;

he was my former best friend's brother.

He was tall in stature and extremely handsome;

He told me not to tell, and I was determined to protect.

 

My former best friend found herself in love with a joke.

More of a fraud, I should say the least.

She told me of their plans to elope and said to be quiet.

Keep silent about a dormant beast?

 

I slide the blade against my thigh a third time,

an ideal place to conceal the marks.

My sister walks in the bathroom and stares;

I tell her to be quiet.

 

Grandpa said he's in love with me;

He lets his hand go places I don't want them to.

I tell him to stop and he refuses, 

Telling me not to tell my father.

 

I feel so trapped and terrorized by people, 

Especially by the man I once called "Grandpa"

I walk in the parlor and see Her, holding a knife in front of the old man's body.

"Don't tell!" she says to me.

"Believe me... I won't," I say back.

This poem is about: 
Me
My family

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