If I read you a story
starting "Once Upon a Time",
would you to stay to listen
as I read off each line?
How would you feel
as the realization became known:
This story was not about another person's life,
but it was about my own?
Would you listen with care
as I read off each page,
would you understand why
I'm so filled with rage?
Would you see my tears
as I read you to my life,
and would you understand why
I've done so much to survive?
Would you look at my wrists
and wonder in your head
how could I possibly turn
such pale arms to a shade of red?
How would you feel
as you learned of my mistakes,
that I have indeed hurt those I love
and I gave up because it was too late?
Would you look at my eyes and my smile
and would it begin to make sense
that whenever I smile
the shine is very dense?
Would you look on with care
as I open up my heart,
and would you see so gentle
when you see how it's torn apart?
Now that the story is over,
do you understand why I'm not whole?
Please tell me how you feel
now that I've revealed the darkest parts of my soul.
I will tell you that I'm still healing,
and everyday I'm getting better.
But I still try to cover up my shame
as I put on a sweater.
If I read you a story
starting "Once Upon a Time",
would you stay to listen
as I read off each line?