Caged Bird Sings

CAGED BIRD SINGS I’ve not talked about these things to tell Because I’m sworn to secrecy of sorts You’ve heard the tales and read the books Know what happens if you break the rules Well today I’m here crossing the “I double-dawg-dare you” line Father shows his love for me while he creeps in my room at night Years go by how did I know my memory would go dark Bird Child, was I, voice not yet my own Innocence stripped, beginning at home Sense of self seemingly washed away with the whack of a hand Whose does it belong to this time Oh I know let’s count the welts…she wins Mother’s hand lay wrapped around the extension cord, today Yes, her expression of love for me again in a special way Beaten into submission of silence and stillness Emotions continue retreating inward Caged Child, was I, voice not yet my own Was this to be my life one of quiet and still Not so any one would know for years to come Shattered youth burned from the inside out with pain Yet, I walk, skip and play with a grin and a laugh Laughter covering up so much for so many How long can the bandage stretch Can it hold up much longer Edges frayed, torn and splintered from years of abuse Completely falling apart was not an option, not so anyone can see Who do you tell when you know not what to do What do you do when you know not what to say How can you say it when you have a voice but dare not speak Caged Bird Child, no longer I, voice not yet to call my own Going through life with a laugh and a smile Knowing something is not right but not knowing Every corner darkness seems to lurk nearby Cannot breathe because of the heaviness upon my chest Life has not been my own, others in control Body staying while mind wanting to be set free Feeling trapped, scared and alone, so escapes I would try Key Wounded from all the hurt, leaving behind scars not all remedied with topical cream Continually battling life as if in front of a camera Sleep, sleep, crave for peaceful sleep Give back the restful nights stolen away Thieves in the night my parents and others Walked into my life, stole pieces of me Attempted to leave me for dead Failed each time because I am a SURVIVOR Child, no longer am I, voice found and being released Voice singing words of truth once not able to speak Caged Bird Sings