I've been silent for too long. 

biting my tongue is the rule, not the exception. 

I don’t want to hurt you, so I hurt myself, 

and you think you’re right. 

your manipulative words wrap around my spine like a merciless snake, 

forcing out a half-hearted apology from my blood-smeared lips. 

I’ve lived your twisted lies for so long, 

they’ve become the truth.

I paint my nails red, red like my blood, 

and engrave the words you say every night before bed onto my bones with them, 

I'm taking them to my grave.

I can't erase the words you say, for they’ve erased me. 

you tell me to be a warrior, 

but when I yield a sword, 

you demand that I slit open my own throat.

So I do. 

one thing’s for sure, 

no one can erase you like the one who drew you, 

no one can break you like the one who made you.