Don’t tell me that I’m beautiful until

you’ve seen the marks etched in my skin;

the scars I have on the inside and

on my heart that I hide.

 

Don’t tell me I’m strong until

You’ve seen me break down,

Fall apart time and time again;

Crying until the tears fall no more.

 

Don’t tell me that I’m a wonderful person until

I’ve shut you out completely;

Until I push you away because I promised myself that you’re just like the rest;

Because I promised myself that you will get tired of me too.

 

Don’t tell me that I’m adorable until

You’ve seen what night are like,

the nightmares that scare me, until

You’ve seen me sob, tremble, scream and collapse in terror.

 

Don’t tell me I’m brave until

You’ve seen me take down my fake smile and tell you what's really wrong,

Until you’ve heard my background,

Until you’ve heard my past.

 

Don’t tell me I’m smart until

You’ve seen how many hours a night I study for one class;

All so I can pass that one quiz that probably doesn't really affect my grade,

But only to fail the real test, the real deal that will affect my grade.

Until you’ve seen the numerous tears roll down my face in frustration.

 

Don’t tell me I’m adored until

You’ve seen the scars down my back from the daggers.

Until you’ve seen all the situations I’ve been abandoned in.

Until you’ve been there when they tell me its all my fault.

 

Don’t tell I’m loved until

You see what I go through on the daily,

Until you know my emotional breakdowns,

Until you are there to stay!

 

Don't tell me I’m passionate until

You have seen me do a dance over and over

Until you have seen me fall off the horse time and time again

Until you see me hurt my self, get back up, and do it again.

 

Don’t tell me I’m special until

You have seen the person I was.

Until you see the memories locked in my head.

Until you see things no one has ever seen.

 

Don’t tell me I’m lucky until

You have seen the life I’ve lived

Until you’ve seen the kid I raised my brother into.

Until you’ve seen the abandonment in my past.

 

Don’t tell me…