The beating that didn’t leave bruises

Whispers in the dark, echoes of a broken man

Silent battles fought within, no one understands

He called himself the man of the house, but he was never really there

Lost in shadows, chained by fears, burdened by despair

Quit every effort, failed every vow, dreams crushed beneath the weight

Words like daggers, cutting deep, took away all my dreams

I saw through the cracks, the anger pretending to love

A weapon disguised as weakness, a silent cry

He loved us in his way, though it was hard to see

A hurt so deep, it defined his misery at least that’s what she told me

But I won't carry your darkness, I’ll find my own light

Won't let your shadows define my fight

Your pain was a weapon, but I’ll break the chain

Rising from the ashes, healing all the pain

In middle school, he'd invade my space, scream and spit that I was worth nothing

A mirror of his failures, a reflection of his suffering

He hated my strength, my stubborn pride

But I held onto hope, refused to hide

Now we no longer speak, silent prayers unwind

His battles haunt his mind, in a lonely bind

But I’ve learned to stand tall, to find my own way

The scars he left remind me to never stray

But I won't carry your darkness, I’ll find my own light

Won't let your shadows define my fight

Your pain was a weapon, but I’ll break the chain

Rising from the ashes, healing all the pain

From broken roots, a flower grows

In the silence, my strength shows

Your pain is yours, not mine to bear

I’m forging new dreams, climbing from despair

The man of the house was never truly there

But I am reclaiming love, free from terror and fear

Your pain was a weapon, but I’ve learned to heal

This is my story I won’t be the same anger doesn’t define me.