{"id":3372,"date":"2019-10-02T14:09:59","date_gmt":"2019-10-02T13:09:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk\/imo\/?p=3372"},"modified":"2023-02-14T12:47:15","modified_gmt":"2023-02-14T12:47:15","slug":"the-strength-within-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk\/imo\/your-stories\/the-strength-within-you\/","title":{"rendered":"The strength within you"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

It took me years to know it only gets better,
\nSo my beloved do not give up until it gets better.
\nOne day you will realize the love within you,
\nOne day you will realize the strength within you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I too was someone who hated her life, who hated herself and people’s lies,
\nI too was someone who was all alone, scared, betrayed and became stone.
\nBut you and me we are the same, I am you and you are me,
\nAnd I hope you find the strength within you, just like me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had lost a battle I couldn’t even explain,
\nEven when I cried they didn’t see my pain.
\nI wish they knew how much I loved them,
\nI wish they saw the heart that had loved them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Had they asked for my life, I wouldn’t have thought twice,
\nBut now I sit here paying the price.
\nBecause love doesn’t come in all smiles and rainbows,
\nThere is pain, there is agony and there are intolerable woes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They treated me like I wasn’t their child, like I was different, like I wasn’t theirs,
\nBut that wasn’t true because our DNA matched, our surnames matched and our noses too.
\nI was their blood so surely they’d love me,
\nThat was a misconception that would always haunt me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision was made, I had to leave,
\nMy eyes were numb and heart was full of grief.
\nI looked back one last time and,
\nSilently said in my mind,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If my love wasn’t enough, I beg your forgiveness,
\nBecause what I wanted to give was all of me.
\nGave my soul, my love and my broken heart,
\nAnd just like everyone, you destroyed me part by part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But now I refused to live in these dungeons,
\nWhere hate and anger was spread in abundance.
\nYou have a purpose, you have a dream,
\nDo what you want and be who you want to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a heavy heart, I walked away,
\nFor the first time, I listened to my heart and chose not to stay.
\nIt wasn’t easy but it was for the best,
\nMy parents\u2019 love for me was my biggest test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love is beautiful, don’t get me wrong,
\nBut love that destroys you is always wrong.
\nI loved my parents endlessly and still do,
\nBut it can cost you everything for you to be you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into care was the best decision I made,
\nSo many painful memories I had to fade,
\nThis place gave me comfort, it gave me hope,
\nIt gave me strength, it gave me friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was a soul who was wandering aimlessly,
\nA child who was neglected so ruthlessly.
\nI never knew how strangers could be family,
\nBut where there is love, anyone can become family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s crazy to have people who understand you so clearly,
\nWho listen to listen and not to reply,
\nIt\u2019s crazy that you know these people barely,
\nBut they don’t question you or ask why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They taught me life isn’t a competition that needs to be won,
\nJust do what makes you happy and have fun.
\nThey taught me to love myself for me and
\nNever change regardless of who they want you to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are enough and always will be,
\nAnd people will love you regardless of who you choose to be.
\nWalking away from trauma and hate isn’t easy,
\nbut knowing you deserve better will make it easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are a precious soul, who deserves to be loved and cherished,
\nAnd one day all the pain from your heart will perish.
\nI pray that just like me, you too find the love within yourself,
\nI pray that just like me, you too find the strength within yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The moment I left became my biggest achievement.
\nThe moment I decided never to look back became my biggest achievement.
\nThe moment I realised I deserved a better life and decided to leave the toxic environment I once called home became my biggest achievement.
\nMy biggest achievement was within the moment that I found the strength within myself,
\nThe strength to walk away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And I hope you find the strength too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This poem was an entry in our \u2018Write Speak Share\u2019 writing competition<\/a>. The theme for the competition was \u2018Your Biggest Achievement\u2019. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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