Blood Doesn't Mean Home

I was raised in silence, taught not to speak

Told to smile while they made me weak

Love was a weapon, truth was a sin

And trust was a door I couldn't let in

Their words were chains, wrapped in my name

But I don’t owe them one ounce of shame

I bled for their version of loyalty

But that blood never once felt like family

Blood doesn’t mean home

Not when it cuts you to the bone

You don’t get to break me

Then claim you made me

I found a love you’ll never own

Blood doesn’t mean home

And I choose who I call my own

I found family in open hands

In broken souls who understand

Not perfect, no—just real and kind

The kind of love you never find

In halls that echo guilt and fear

Where being born just kept me near

But I'm not yours, not anymore

I'm building bridges far from your war

Blood doesn’t mean home

Not when it cuts you to the bone

You don’t get to break me

Then claim you made me

I found a love you’ll never own

Blood doesn’t mean home

And I choose who I call my own

You don’t have to stay where it hurts

You don’t have to carry their curse

Family is more than DNA

It’s who shows up and who stays

Blood doesn’t mean home

Not when your heart’s left alone

I’m done surviving

Now I’m deciding

Who gets a seat beside my soul

Blood doesn’t mean home

And I choose who I call my own

I choose...

I choose my own