You can do,
Anything,
They said.
But its not true.
They built me up.
But my foundations
Are weak.
On shifting sands I crumble.
You can be,
Anything,
They said.
But its not true.
Years of Failure,
Scars,
Physical,
Emotional,
Burned like brands,
Thrust into the psyche.
Self esteem,
That fragile thing,
Splinters at slightest touch.
Just be you, they said,
But behind the mask,
Identity lost,
Who am I,
I cried,
But all I heard,
Was laughter,
In return.
We love you,
They cried,
But I could not,
Did not,
Believe,
For their love,
Was only,
On their terms.
You can do,
Anything,
They said,
But the truth,
Was that I could do naught,
For I did not know,
What to do.