At ten years old they tore the page, Pushed me forward into a colder age. A fading voice, a last goodbye, I learned to breathe but not to cry. Empty rooms and hollow doors, Silent battles, inner wars. Every heartbeat out of place, I carved my courage in that space. I forged myself in quiet halls, No guiding hand, no voice to call. Alone I bled, but still I grew — And found a family I never knew. Footsteps marching through the night, Shadows dancing with the fading light. Dorm lights dim but dreams alive, I learned what it meant to survive. Walls may break but I stood tall, A child lost inside it all. Yet in the dark I found the spark, A little flame against the stark. I forged myself in quiet halls, No guiding hand, no voice to call. Alone I bled, but still I grew — And found a family I never knew. Between the storms of growing pain, I etched my truth through fire and rain. Every scar became a guide, A map of strength I kept inside. One day you wake and feel the burn, A heartbeat strong enough to turn. They took my past, but not my flame, I shaped my soul from fear and shame. Through broken nights and borrowed time, I found the ones who called me “mine.” Not bound by blood, but truth instead — A home rebuilt from what was dead. I forged myself in quiet halls, Turned silent cries to battle calls. The boy I was still walks with me, But now he moves — finally free. Forged in the quiet halls of youth, I learned to stand, I learned my truth. The child alone has found his grace, A grown heart standing in his place. ----------------------------------------- © 2025 AgeonSmith. All rights reserved. No part of these works may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of AgeonSmith. Any unauthorized use of these materials constitutes an infringement of copyright and other applicable laws. For permission requests, please contact AgeonSmith.
