I'm okay

Once upon a time there was a girl
In her early years she had to learn
How to grow up living in a war that she called home
Never knew just where to turn for shelter from the storm
Hurt me to see the pain across my mother's face
Every time my father's fist would put her in her place
Hearing all the yelling, I would cry up in my room
Hoping it would be over soon

Bruises fade father, but the pain remains the same
And I still remember how you kept me so afraid
Strength is my mother for all the love she gave
And every morning that I wake I look back at yesterday
And I'm okay

I often wonder why I've carried all this guilt
When it's you that helped me put up all these walls I've built
Shadows stir at night through a crack in the door
The echo of a broken child screaming "please, no more"
Daddy don't you understand the damage you have done?
For you it's just a memory, but for me it still lives on

Bruises fade father, but the pain remains the same
And I still remember how you kept me so, so afraid
Strength is my mother for all the love she gave
Every morning that I wake I look back at yesterday

It's not so easy to forget
All the marks you left along her neck
When I was thrown against cold stairs
And everyday afraid to come home,
In fear of what I might see there

Bruises fade father but the pain remains the same
And I still remember how you kept me so afraid
Strength is my mother for all the love you gave
Every morning that I wake, I look back at yesterday
And I'm okay
Mm
I'm okay

It is amazing how children no matter how hard you tried still find out.It kills me everyday knowing they knew.The wounds are still there.I love you and they do too.But those times when you became that way are still there.And the memories of it all still remain.Bruises fade but the pain still remains.I am going to smile again.Be the tough girl I am.For I know that you can't hurt me.But I'm here to show you never again.Will you lay a hand on them again.No longer living in fear.Because I see that every time you want to try and put me down that I am stronger and a fighter.I have seen the side of you no one sees.But I also know the real side of you.And the other side may it be gone forever.For today I know I am okay and I walk away.They made me stronger and our my strength.Their smiles made me who I am today.