Only Fifteen

I might only be fifteen,

But I’ve seen it all;;

Families built up and destroyed in a matter of weeks.

Children being moved from house to house,

Not knowing where to call home.

Seeing their parents scream, yell, and sometimes get violent,

Often being beaten themselves,

And never knowing what’s real and what’s a nightmare.

Most times they are one in the same.

Crying so many nights,

Trying to figure out all the confusion,

Salty tears hit the pillow.

I might only be fifteen,

But I’ve seen it all.

Family members dying one right after another.

The funerals being the only time to meet the rest of the family.

Best friends don’t even know the truth,

Lies to hide the hurt.

Always false emotions,

Always a mask.

The pain is sometimes unbearable.

Some teens try to take the “Easy way out.”

Yes, I’ve seen that, too.

And I’m only fifteen.

In some cases it’s not the easy way out.

They feel it’s a  reality check.

Others tend to say that cutting is stupid.

But what if they don’t want to die?

What if they need to know that they’re still alive?

Especially when they’re in so much emotional pain it feels unreal.

Yes I’m fifteen,

But I can almost guarantee that I’ve been through more

And seen more than you will ever understand.

And I’m only fifteen.

Let’s hope that the next generation’s fifteen year old’s won’t have to see what I have experienced.