The silence was overwhelming,

Rushing over me like a flood.

The darkness swallowed me up,

From the outside in,

I could no longer think.

I could no longer hear, breathe, smell, taste.

But I could see.

That didn't matter though,

Because I didn't want to.

I didn't want to see the aftermath of what had happened,

I didn't want to see what was left,

It would only remind me of  what was missing.

As long as I couldn't think,

I wouldn't know.

As long as I kept my mouth shut,

They wouldn't hear my piercing screams.

As long as I didn't listen,

I wouldn't hear the bitterness of the truth.

As long as I didn't open my eyes,

It wasn't real.

But eventually,

You have to wake up from the darkness,

Think of what happened,

Say what you feel,

Listen to the harsh truth,

And see reality.

It will hurt,

It will be hard,

But it will be worse

If you think that you can get through life

By squeezing your eyes shut,

And hoping this is all a dream.