They tell me to open up - to let them in so that they can help.
But they won’t understand the pain I push through. The pain I try to forget.
They don’t know of the wars I’ve waged, of the demons I battle, of the darkness that threatens to destroy me.
They don’t know of the terror I’ve endured, of the despair I feel, nor the innocence I mourn.
They don’t see my starless skies, the tremble in my words, the burden on my soul.
They tell me to open up - to let them in.
But they don’t understand that I can’t - that the horrors I hold to my heart, are mine and mine alone.
Mine to suffer. Mine to stand up to. And in time, mine to move on from.
Because whatever we go through, makes us stronger.
They tell me to let them in so that they can help.
But don’t they understand that by just standing by me, they help keep me in the light?
Hafsa Khalil 