WASTED YEARS

I care not if you hurt me,
with intention or without.
It matters little what you do or say,
be it humiliation or be it doubt.

I care not if you flay me alive,
or shower words of stone.
Your steel tipped tongue has done its work,
and stripped me to the bone.

I care not if you throw at me,
stinging acid to scar or to shame.
Your weakness is the demon within,
and I am not to blame.

I care not if you cannot abide,
and want to still my voice.
Your hands can choke my life from me,
but cannot cleanse your lies.

I care not for you at all,
for what you stand to be.
Your brutal strength is wasted on,
silencing a spirit free.

What I care for you'll never know,
I care that alone I cry.
I care never to show to you,
how much you make me die.

~Sujata~