they say i'm mad
i know they're right
as years increase
i stand and fight
where once i lie
so not to see
when beaten down
they bludgeoned me
i sweetly smiled
on my back
i thanked them kindly
bruises black
i rose above
no grudge i kept
i hid the pain
my spirit wept
abusers freed
my wounds abscessed
denying self
my self protest
against the crime
that paled compared
to that of mine
myself, impaired
the harm i caused
denial-clad
was to myself
for i am mad
