Dear Younger me,

I love how you beat the system

The sting from your dad’s hand, you will no longer endure
The swoosh of the cord from his swing you will no longer feel
The burning pain from his lighter you will no longer suffer
Watching him threaten mom and pull a gun on her, you’ll no longer witness

I love how you beat the system

Stumbling up the baby sitter’s stairs not knowing what will happen next
Climbing on his bed, water underneath knocking you off balance
Remember this was the biggest lollipop you felt and grossed one you tasted

I love how you beat the system

Not understanding why mom had to leave us or won’t be in pain
Not knowing she was living in a body that was no longer hers
Seeing your lifeless body laying in that wooden bed, part of me died
The touch of her skin is ice cold and body is pale like a ghost

I love how you beat the system

You could have picked up your first drink before legal age
You could have taken to the street and get paid to let others use your body
You could have fully died to be with your mom
You could have made so many poor choices but you didn’t
You beat the system, now live your life