The Cost of Strength

They said, "at least it made you stronger",

as if survival was something to be proud of.

But my heart ached,

because I never wanted to become unbreakable,

I just wanted to be safe enough to stay soft.

My inner child still sits there,

in the corner of every memory,

clutching a hope too small to be noticed,

murmuring, "I asked for love, not lessons"

I wanted gentle hands, not the kind

that only taught me how to heal alone.

Every scar they call ‘character’

was once a plea for comfort that never came.

And now I wear them like armor,

pretending I don’t miss the tenderness

that used to live under my skin.

They see strength.

But I see a child who had to grow teeth

just to stop crying.

-dmnd