Holding Back Tears
No one believes the child who no longer cries
but they don’t know I have no tears left in my eyes.
No one believes the child who never weeps
but they don’t know I always have to sneak.
No one believes the child who doesn’t talk
but they don’t know it’s hard for me to walk.
No one believes the child who has no proof
but they don’t know what happens under my roof.
No one believes the child with perfect skin
but they don’t know I can never win.
No one believes, but they do not know.
Men are brave, men are bold
they speak, for they are not told.
The rulers of the house as they may seem
to own the house is their only dream.
Men are strong, men are intelligent
they command every element.
But my father is the polar opposite
he’s my mother’s special monument.
But my father suffers in silence
as my mother uses her violence.
Men aren’t always brave, that’s stereotypical.
For I am afraid of the trembling unknown
as my father is no longer in the zone.
For I am afraid of the trembling unknown
as it’s my mother who wants the throne.
For I am afraid of the statement in my head
as it’s myself falling to shreds.
For I am afraid of the statement in my head
as no matter what, we’ll all end up dead.
Innocent until proven guilty is what they call my mother
yet guilty is my mother when faced against my brother.
Innocent. Guilty. They’re just words.
Holding Back Tears
30/07/2021
Sponsor: Edward Ibeh
Copyright © Harriet Ward | Year Posted 2021
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