Turning 12

On the day I turned twelve, the world felt cold, a year older, yet feeling far too old. Bruises hidden, tears I'd learned to hide, My heart heavy, with nowhere safe inside.

Her words cut deep, sharper than any blade, In my mind, shadows of fear were made. I wanted to fight, to scream, to make her see, but the anger inside felt wrong, not me.

Each slap, each shout, a mark on my soul, my childhood stolen, replaced with a hole. On my birthday, I made a silent vow, to escape the pain, to leave right now.

I packed my dreams in a tattered bag, hope and fear my only rag. The night was my ally, a cloak of despair, As I slipped away from her cold, cruel glare.

Feet pounding on the gravel road, A heart heavy with its secret load. I ran from the hurt, the lies, the pain, Seeking shelter from the relentless rain.

The urge to hit back, to make her feel, Was a demon whispering, never real. For I knew deep down, it wasn’t the way, Violence begets violence, leading hearts astray.

Underneath the stars, I made my plea, To be free from the anger, to just be me. In the silence of night, I found my stride, Leaving behind the tears I've cried.

Turning twelve was supposed to be, A time of joy and discovery. But for me, it was an escape, a desperate flight, Into the darkness, away from the fight.

Mom, if you ever wonder where I’ve gone, Know it was the hurt that led me to run. I couldn’t stay and face the wrong, So I chose the road, to find where I belong.

In my heart, a fragile hope will grow, that someday, somehow, you’ll know. The pain you caused, the scars you made, And in that knowledge, your own heart will fade.

But until that day, I’ll keep moving on a broken child, but not for long. Turning twelve was the start of my flight, Away from the darkness, into the light.