Poems

Don't Tell Me

Don't tell that I'm beautiful,
Until you've seen the marks etched in my skin.
And the ones on the inside,
On my heart,
That I hide.

Don't tell me that I'm strong
Until you've seen me break down,
Fall apart,
Time and time again,
And cry until the tears no longer come.

Don't tell me that I'm a wonderful person
Until I shut you out completely,
And push you away,
Because I promised myself,
That you are like the rest,
And you'll get tired of me too.

Don't tell me that I'm lonely
Until you've seen what my nights are like,
And the terror that sometimes possess me.
Seen me sob and tremble and question "why me?"
Until I run out of air,
And collapse.

Don't tell me that I'll get through this,
That this is only temporary,
Until you've seen the inner torment inside my mind,
And the demons that refuse to be silent.

But if you have seen that other part of me,
The scars, pain, insecurities and bitterness that I hide,
The voices that whisper during the day
And scream during the night,
The darkness lurking behind my smile,
And you still stay by my side
And think me truly beautiful,
Then maybe... just maybe... I'll believe you.