From Pain to Power

Yeah. I ain't saying this for sympathy. I say it for every kid still locked

in the silence. This one's for us. I was six years old with a black eye.

Mama said, "Don't cry, just close your eyes." But how you hide pain that deep

inside when your hero becomes the one you fear at night? He came home drunk

with that belt in hand. Called me worthless, said, "Be a man." But

I was just a boy with shaky knees. Trying to earn love begging, "Daddy,

please." He'd slam doors, break plates, curse God. I'd pray under covers

hoping he'd stop. A monster in the mirror wearing his face and I'd wonder if I'd ever escape