Deadly Games

I didn't want to get hurt

I was four years old

"Don't play with matches, dear"

My mother used to say

When I wanted to watch the flame dance

"You'll burn yourself"

And I listened

Because I didn't want to get hurt

I was five years old

"Don't play with knives, dear"

My father used to say

When I didn't know any better

"You'll cut yourself"

And I listened

Because I didn't want to get hurt

I was six years old

"Stay away from the edge, dear"

My mother used to say

When I wanted to look down

"You'll fall"

And I listened

Because I didn't want to get hurt

I was seven years old

"Don't play with that rope around you, dear"

My father used to say

When I wanted to swing up high

"You'll strangle yourself"

And I listened

Because I didn't want to get hurt

Now I'm different

I was thirteen years old

And I played with matches

I watch the flame dance on my skin

I burn myself

Because I didn't want to get hurt

I was fourteen years old

And I played with knives

Just to make it better

I cut myself

Because I didn't want to get hurt

I was fifteen years old

And I stood on the edge

I wanted to jump off

I wanted to fall

Because I didn't want to get hurt

I am sixteen years old

And I have a rope around my neck

The burning the cutting aren't enough

I want to die

Because I don't want to get hurt

(E.B)