Wrote this last night when I was in a good deal of pain. My knee is giving me major grief. Hopefully will have that sorted soon. *fingers crossed*

Not allowed to cry, not allowed to feel.

Doesn't matter; none of this is real.

I'll retreat to the world inside my head

Where I don't fear betrayal, where I'm safe instead.

But that's where I'm wrong time and again;

These memories cut and bruise me in the end.

There's no hiding from or outrunning this reality.

The pain's still real; I still feel. Someone rescue me!

My dreams once promised me some relief;

Then I discovered they're just another thief.

Still the pain radiates with each heartbeat,

And even hope and belief have turned bittersweet.

You'll never see a tear in my eye; I've forgotten how.

I've stood this long and don't intend to bow.

My heart's been broken and remade of hardest stone.

I say it til I believe it: I'll be alright on my own.