Life; as seen by others.

Her

Oh boy;

I don't need to read the news anymore;

Another man shot in the name of justice;

Another tragedy making its mark on history;

Another child beaten or discarded by their alleged caregivers, ignored by the news as the children keep silent of their familial torture.

Because of her;

I don't speak as I used to;

I don't dare act as myself;

I censor the words or actions before I allow them to occur;

For fear of their reactions to my truths.

Because of her;

They took my words, muffling them with louder ones;

They took my ideas, muffling them with controlling criticism;

They took my identity, muffling it with theirs.

Because of her;

I showed them my good, they showed my their suffering;

I showed them my passions, they showed my their practicalities;

I showed them my grievances, they showed my their experiences.

I showed them my love; they showed my their disbelief;

Because of her;

I told them I was sad, they told me to grow up;

I told them I was happy, they told me why they weren't;

I told them I wanted to die, they told me to stop being over-dramatic;

I told them I wanted to live, they treated me as if they didn't want me to.