i’m sorry
sorry i held you captive by refusing to listen
sorry i listened to their screams
that they were making us stronger
when we just needed to be safe—
i was a kid
i’m sorry i didn’t take care of you as well as i should have
sorry i can’t remember much of you
i’m sorry i still struggle with the insecurities
you tried so hard to beat down
i’m sorry you’re still hurting—
sorry that the same arms that held you
when you were looking for comfort
were the very ones
that you needed to be shielded from
i’m sorry you were forced to grow up
faster than you should’ve
sorry you isolated yourself
because you didn’t have anyone else to go to
i’m sorry you weren’t able to be a kid
for very long
i’m sorry they hurt you
sorry they neglected and belittled you—
as you continued to search for praise
for them to lift you up as they tore you down
i’m sorry their words still hurt you—
they’re holding you captive
with words that mean nothing
and actions that mean everything
i’m sorry that sorry isn’t enough
to give back the childhood that they stole
Image source: “Hand with oil pastel draws the heart” by Kaboompics.com from [Pexels]{.underline}