Lessons Written on My Skin

by Yilin S., 14

I see you shine, the golden one he loves best,

While I shrink, hiding my chest.

Every glance, every smile, he saves for you,

And I learn to fade in the shadows he drew.

I hear whispers behind closed doors,

Favoritism rings loud, cutting me to the core.

“Why can’t you be enough?” 

He repeats like a broken record every night,

Every word is a knife, every glance starts a fight.

I smell fear in the corners where I used to cry,

A metallic pain no one should try.

I smell the quiet that follows behind slammed doors,

The scent of broken children I try to ignore.

A bitter taste of being overlooked,

The sour flavor of lessons harshly taught and took.

Survival lingers on my tongue, sharp and raw,

Bitter memories mixed with my flaws.

Feeling the scars, bruises I’ve hidden deep,

Reminding me of the nights I didn’t sleep.

And though I’m not perfect, I didn’t take from you.

A forever promise, difficult but true.