After all these times; the arguments, the frustration, the pain, the heartbreak, and the shattered trust.

The question, finally said and answered:

“_It really hurt you, didn’t it?_”

It was simple, yet so profound.

“_Yes_.”

The concept of love, a fragmented perception:

it’s given, but not quite received,

The loneliness a common courtesy:

it’s welcomed, but never wanted,

The discipline a twisted ideal:

it’s used but never needed.

Never enough but too much for you,

always giving but never given to.

How could a kid understand?:

“_Are you stupid?_”

Her heart was bigger then life, her eyes as bright as the moon.

How she understand?:

“_Do you want to be in this family?_”

Her mind now fractured with questions, her feelings intertwined with disappointment,

How could she?:

“_How could you?_”

Her self-image blurred by hatred, and her heart ripped from living.

“_I’m sorry._”

So heartfelt and finally truthful, but it has no value.

Compassion was long overdue, time degraded the meaning of apologies.

Change is the only remedy for such delayed remorse.

Now, I’m left with pieces of what once was me,

The past leaving nothing but a broken mindset and a detached heart.