Shadows I Can't Erase

This is my story now, the shadows I can't erase

Facing all the pain, no one can take my place

Started at five, tossed in foster care

Three siblings lost in a world unfair

Found a family, but love was thin air

Secrets buried deep, too much to bear

Years went by, scars didn’t fade

Broken trust, the price I paid

Fighting shadows, I gotta stay brave

Trying to heal, trying to behave

How do I forgive the men who've hurt me?

How do I let go of the pain that they see?

Walking through the darkness, searching for peace

This is my story, and I refuse to cease

Adopted at eight, a new family stance

But the darkness followed, took its chance

A brother’s betrayal, a second wound

Seven years silent, trapped in the gloom

Feeling hate and shame, a storm inside

Lost my body, couldn’t run or hide

School was a struggle, the world was cold

Joined the army, trying to be bold

How do I forgive the men who've hurt me?

How do I let go of the pain that they see?

Walking through the darkness, searching for peace

This is my story, and I refuse to cease

Now it’s all changing, the cycle breaks

But the echo of betrayal, it still aches

I stand tall, with scars that tell the tale

Finding strength, when I think I’ll fail

This is my story now, fragile but free

Learning to love the person I see

Step by step, healing the pain

This is my story, I'll rise again

With every scar, I find my voice

Reclaim my soul, make the choice

To forgive the past, but never forget

This is my story—my lifetime.