Could have been

I could have been beautiful

but you spattered me with blood

I might have been graceful

but you knocked me into the mud

I could have been courageous

but you crumpled me into a ball

I might have been brave

but you made me feel so small

I could have been intelligent

but you taught me not to try

I might have been brilliant

but you told me the truth is a lie

I could have been trusting

but your promises lay broken

I might have been confiding

but you taught me to leave everything unspoken

I could have been independent

but you left so many needs unfilled

I might have been self-reliant

but you made it so I couldn’t rebuild

I could have been whole

but you tore me all apart

I might have been so much more

but you destroyed my growing heart

Jessa

c2006