This is Before:

This is two children,

siblings who just don’t understand

what their future holds.

Smile innocent and happy eyes

not holding any pain.

Spending time with a mother

who rather be at a bar.

Cheerful laughter and carefree wishes ,

not wanting for anything

because they think they have everything. 

Hearts held together

with love and

 not tape.  

This is before a decision is made

and a family is torn apart.

Before a mother leaves

and a father falls into his work.

Before money

was tight and

they didn’t understand

loss.

A time before the only place

they felt safe was

locked in their rooms.

Before words turned into weapons

and the only person

you had on your side is yourself.

When hiding your pain

became second nature

and you wore a permanent

mask from society.

This is before they lost themselves.

When you knew exactly

who you where and were happy by it.

Self loathing wasn’t around,

and there were no scars

on your arms.

Before you found a

way to block out pain

and the drunken words shouted became

a dull buzz.  

This is before you wished

for physical pain

because the words became too much.

Your tears are dried up

and you forgot what a true smile is.

Before friends left, and school

was a escape from home.

People who used

to say that rhyme about sticks and stones

as if broken bones hurt

more than the names we got called. 

Hiding in your own world

because the real one was too hard. 

This is before.