A Witness

I have witnessed what it’s like to survive.

 Home fragmented, world traumatized

A man who never cared, and no faith to see a way out

Still I couldn’t stop moving

I see those in the pain I’ve had

I reach out and want them to know what this world has for them that they’ve had taken away

I have witnessed a girl.

Crying loud because of the fear of knowing she cannot be who she knows she is.

Her father attempts, but nothing can suppress the pain her mother’s unacceptance

Driving her to her own blade.

Her friends are scarce and problem voluminous.

She stares at the ceiling through tears and turns to see

A drawer full of outfits and hair

And the piercing voice in her head booms

“Be a man”

I have witnessed the eyes of God.

I have seen Aphrodite in the loveliness of my hopes

I have seen myself in the mirror and crying on porch steps

Rising from the smolders of pain and memories

Trying to untie this imaginary noose that my brain and stuck to me

I have witnessed those who don’t know.

They pierce the words and do not see what they are doing

And those who know exactly what they are saying

But refuse to cease out of their own selfishness

They throw the blade, the rope, the pills, the gun

At those who are too weak and misunderstood

To see in the crowd full of

“You’re worthless”

“You’re weird”

“You’re crazy”

“You’re nothing”

The small voices fighting but failing to scream

Only to be heard at whispers

“I love you”

“Please stay”

I have yet to witness the day when this will no longer be a war fought alone.

When those who feel they are the worlds burden

May rise as I rise every morning

Battling

 But surviving

How many pills must be taken and guns fired?

How many parents will lose children?

 Until we, as people banded in humanity

 Find the hope to show that this cycle can be solved

If compassion were just a nature

Instead of a justice left undone