What They Don't Know

Hands on, hands off.

Hold your breath until darkness closes over and your heart gives out. 

 

Resist temptation for the ones around you, so you breathe again.

Every day is like yesterday.

She still screams when he hits.

You still freeze and stop breathing helpless. 

 

Dream and sleep, Dream and sleep

Trauma you face on your own. 

Pain you endure will inevitably take you under. 

 

Sedatives, and more sedatives. 

Pressure to always be right, and wanting to be needed.

Hating yourself for not protecting her, because you are weak. 

 

Call that number, dial before she stops breathing. Hear those sirens and watch him be driven away and put behind bars. But you don't want that either do you? 

 

Stop & start, stop forever. 

Smile for the camera. Pose with curves of your body so no one asks. Always look brave and no one will know your weakness. Might as well. Your life better be picture perfect or you'll lose everyone.

 

Breathe in, breathe out.

Circum to the pain you feel until you're nothing but every word they spit at you. 

 

Do nothing or try again. 

 

This poem is about: 
Me
My family

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