I was a kid

I was small I couldn't guess That a home could be a mess Kept my voice inside my throat Learned to keep myself afloat How to shrink and how to hide Bury everything inside Never speak a single word Make sure that I wasn't heard I was small and defenseless Living in the emptiness No one came to rescue me No one heard my silent plea No protection no relief I just buried all my grief I didn't get a hand to hold I just did what I was told I don't sleep I lie awake Waiting for the bough to break Quiet feels like somethingโ€™s wrong Like the silence lasts too long Checking every lock and latch Waiting for the flame to catch If you reach out I retreat I don't want to feel the heat I learned lessons on the fly How to let the feelings die I was small I asked for little But the trust was far too brittle No one came to rescue me No one heard my silent plea No protection no relief I just buried all my grief I was small Standing tall Standing tall