I held a scream

Behind clenched teeth,

Rocked myself in the corner of a room

too quiet for a soul this loud in pain.

I said "I'm Fine" while my heart curled up like wilted paper burned at the edges,

brittle with unsaid words.

My pillow knows the sound of drowning.

My blanket a witness to wars I never started but keep surviving.

I keep whispering

"one more day"

like a spell,

Like a desperate wish not to fall apart before the morning forgets me.

There is no villain here but silence.

No audience, but shadows.

And still, I show up.

With trembling hands and cracked voice,

I exist

Even when it hurts.

Especially when it hurts. I'm still here.

And maybe,

That's the bravest thing

I've done.