The house was silent, yet it felt like it was shouting,

Walls kept secrets, darker than night,

Little hands shaking, hiding tears no one could see,

The world felt cramped, nowhere felt safe.

Anger echoed, sharp like broken glass,

Words like knives, cutting deeply,

Trust was fragile, broke too quickly,

Sleep was elusive; pain took it away.

I learned to hide, to disappear,

Invisible scars marked my skin,

A child lost in shadows, day after day,

Fighting battles no one could understand.

No lullabies, just silence and fear,

A heart hurt before it could grow,

The burden of sorrow always close,

Roots tangled in a pain I know.