Old Soul

People have called me an "old soul"

Since I was just a kid;

Amazed by my youthful knowledge.

The price, I always hid.

—

Precocious wisdom came at cost

Of growing up too fast.

The traumas within my childhood

Leaving me scars which last.

—

My twin died while still in the womb,

And grief first touched my soul.

Though I never got to know him,

His absence left a hole.

—

At four, I needed surgery;

My ribcage to repair.

They had to start my heart again.

I nearly died right there.

—

My second grade teacher slapped me,

But I said not a peep

Knowing no one would believe me,

A secret I would keep.

—

That secret brought isolation,

Leaving me like a stray.

Making me an easy target

Vulnerable, like prey.

—

There was a friend of the fam'ly,

No one gave him a thought.

He sexually abused me

Leaving me overwrought.

—

Then, my fifth grade teacher shamed me;

In front of all, I cried.

Humiliation, the last straw,

Making me want to die.

—

All of this, before I was twelve;

Of course, my soul is old!

Damaged, but wise from my troubles,

My story is now told.