Don't tell me

don’t tell me that that I’m beautiful

until you’ve seen the marks

etched in my skin

and the ones on the inside

on my heart,

that I hide

don’t tell me that I’m strong

until you’ve seen me break down,

fall apart,

time and time again,

and cry until the tears no longer come.

don’t tell me that I’m a wonderful person

until I shut you out completely

and push you away

because I promised myself

that you are just like the rest,

and you’ll get tired of me too.

don’t tell me that I’m lovely

until you’ve seen what the nights are like

and the terror that sometimes possesses me.

seen me sob and tremble and question “why me?”

until I run out of air

and collapse.

don’t tell me that I’ll get through this

that this is only temporary

until you’ve seen the inner torment

inside of my mind

and the demons that refuse

to be silent.

but if you have seen that other part in me,

the scars, pain, insecurities, and bitterness

that I hide

the voices that whisper during the day

and scream during the night,

the darkness lurking behind my smile,

and you still stay by my side

and think me truly beautiful,

then maybe, just maybe….I believe you.