Invisible Wounds You read my story through the headlines, Painted me guilty before the trial. Every scar I try to explain away, Gets called another lie somehow. I’ve walked through fires no one witnessed, Smiled when I was falling apart. A father trying to hold the pieces, While silence slowly breaks his heart. You see a debt… I feel the weight. You see mistakes… I live with them every day. You see a name to blame… I see a man who’s fading away. These invisible wounds don’t leave a mark, But they echo through the darkest dark. I’m not asking you to fix my pain, Just don’t tell me it isn’t there. I’m hurting. I’m numb. I’m running on empty. Still standing somehow when every step feels heavy. Before you judge the man you see… Remember every battle isn’t visible. I’ve carried guilt upon my shoulders, Long before you spoke my name. I’ve replayed every wrong decision, A thousand times inside my brain. I’d give anything to change the past, To rewrite every broken page. But no one sees the war within me, They only see the man to blame. Men don’t always cry out loud. Sometimes we disappear in plain sight. Sometimes “I’m fine” means “I’m drowning,” And “I’m tired” means “I’ve fought all night.” We aren’t weak for breaking. We aren’t cowards for feeling pain. The strongest hearts are often hiding Behind the biggest smiles we fake. These invisible wounds deserve a voice. Compassion should never be a choice. Look beyond the rumours and the blame, Because every person is more than their worst day. I’m still a father. I’m still trying. Still hoping. Still surviving. If one man hears these words and speaks, Then maybe someone else won’t suffer in silence. Before you write someone off forever… Ask how they’re really doing. You might just save a life.
