Breaking Facades

I was born into atrocity

A predisposition to abuse

From as early as I can remember

It all seemed so normal but so suffocating

We never spoke of what was done

Only smiled and pretended it was all okay

We pretended that my father wasn't abusive and mentally ill

We pretended that my mother wasn't mentally ill and taking it out on me

We pretended I was a happy child

We pretended I never got gang-raped at age 3

We pretended that every rape and abuse after that never happened

We pretended I wasn't suicidal, self-harming

We pretended that I didn't have an eating disorder

We pretended I was happy and perfect

I come from a line of perfect facades

Where everything is good

Not a stain in sight

Yet we're all stained

We're all broken

We're all hurting

This cycle ends with me

I will not ever wear that facade again

Honesty, accountability, love and support is my new home

It's my first safe home

And I think I'd like to stay here for a while