I am
I am the hurt and the silence
I wonder who I will spend the rest of my life with
I hear my breath catch in fear as you head towards my room
I see the fear in my own eyes reflected in your hateful eyes
I want to be accepted for who I am not who you want me to be
I am the hurt and the silence.

I pretend that you never hurt me
I feel angry that you could neglect me
I touch the dreams I used to have for myself
I worry I’ll turn out just like you
I cry when I think about all the children who have been abused
I am the hurt and the silence.

I understand how others feel
I say I’ll be a better mother than you were
I dream that one day I’ll be able to forgive you
I try to understand why
I hope I can one day look back and realize I grew stronger because of you
I am the hurt and the silence.