I took the hits without a sound, Let every word tear me down. I smiled through bruises no one saw, Learned how to hurt and still withdraw. I stayed quiet when they crossed the line, Convinced myself this pain was mine. I told myself, be kind, stay small, So no one feels uncomfortable at all. But the day I spoke, just once, just true, The room turned cold like I always knew. Suddenly I’m cruel, suddenly wrong, For surviving silent for far too long. They loved me best when I broke inside, When I swallowed tears, when I never replied. But healing has a voice, and pain has teeth— And that’s when they started hating me I wasn't loud I wasn't mean I just stopped letting them wound me clean and somehow that one makes me hard for give For choosing myself for choosing to live By V. K