Family

I was the sky when the storm had no end

A woman who buried her pain deep in her hands

Hayden… you were my first ache,

But also the hope I clung to when I couldn't break

I stood between you and the flames,

Took the hits, the shame, the blame

But you... looked at me like I was the cause

You said, “You should’ve never brought me into this.”

And still, I stayed… I always stayed.

Aiden… my quiet light,

The only warmth in this frozen night

I held you and ran from the shadows chasing me

But I could never run far enough

Yet I loved you both—

Till my final breath, till I had no more to give.

---

Mom… you were the only place that ever felt like home

You smiled even when you bled,

And I watched you fade for us,

For him... and for me

I tried to save you

I tried to change fate

But no matter what I did,

I was always too late

Hayden… you were my world before I knew what pain was

I thought you were a hero

But I became the villain in your story

Because I existed

Because I breathed

And now I carry the guilt

Of simply being born

---

I was never a child

I was a wound wrapped in skin

A test subject with my mother’s eyes

And a monster with my father’s grin

You called it love—

That look in your eyes

But to me, it felt like chains and lullabies

Aiden…

You were the reason he looked at me with hate

He said, “Protect your brother,”

Then beat me to teach you what strength was

I blamed you

I blamed her

I burned every bridge I never crossed

But… I never threw away your gift

I kept it—like a relic

Like proof that I still had something human left

---

I’m sorry I wasn’t the wall

I’m sorry I couldn’t stop it all

But I loved you through the bruises

I loved you through the silence

Even when your eyes were cold

You were always my son

---

Mom!! Please don’t go

You’re all I had, you were my soul

Hayden, tell me I wasn’t the reason

Tell me I wasn’t… the demon

---

You weren’t

And she wasn’t weak

We were just born into fire

And we never got out

Mom…

I never told you

But you were the only one I ever prayed for

Aiden…

I never hated you

I hated seeing myself in your tears

---

We were three in the fire

Each burning in our own way

But we…

We never forgot

We never stopped loving

Even in silence

Even in ruin

We were still a family

Shattered…

But real.