In This Skin

When it started

You were the voice

I was the silence

You held the power

I was just a child

Who obediently cowered

I was so young

My soul like glass

Easily cracked

Etched by acrid stares

None of that mattered

Only appearances did

I had to control mine

That's what you said

Through words unspoken

A shaking of your head

A clucking of your tongue

How could I look like this?

My cheeks would blush

My head tilted down

What a shame

That what's on the outside

Is not the image of beauty

At least not yours

I shed my tears

Like I shed my skin

Pieces of me

A trail

Left behind

When all I wanted

Was to disappear

Without a trace

I pretend

I smile

I try to ignore

The repulsed looks

The thoughtless comments

Like bullets to a delicate veil

Pierced by whispers

Thought disguised

By pretty lies

But disgust lingers

Behind your eyes

For years

I built a wall

Fitted myself

With heavy armor

Against the cruel world

I kept my distance

Locked myself away

For years

I had time to think

Time to dwell

Time to doubt

Without giving

Myself a chance

But times have changed

I've molted

I've transformed

Broken free

From the cocoon

Once coveted

For far too long

Now you've learned

To hold your tongue

I have the voice

And fucks I give none.