sl1pper Paper Armor

I looked so steady
I stood so tall
No one could see
How easily I could fall

I learned early not to tremble
When the room became too cold
I became the one who carried
Every burden I was told

Kept the damage out of focus
Kept the tears behind the door
Built a body out of courage
While the child inside kept score

Strength can be a costume
Silence can be loud
Sometimes the strongest person
Is the one who is breaking down

I wore paper armor
Underneath my clothes
Strong enough for strangers
But too thin for those I know

Paper armor
Turning slowly into dust
I survived by looking fearless
Now I’m learning how to trust

Hold me softly
Don’t ask why
Some wounds only speak
When the room is quiet

There were names I couldn’t mention
There were rooms I couldn’t face
There were memories I buried
But they never left their place

I kept calling it forgiveness
When it only meant denial
Kept pretending I was healing
Because I learned to wear a smile

Strength can be a costume
Silence can be loud
Sometimes the strongest person
Is the one who is breaking down

I wore paper armor
Underneath my clothes
Strong enough for strangers
But too thin for those I know

Paper armor
Turning slowly into dust
I survived by looking fearless
Now I’m learning how to trust

I forgive the boy
Who thought pain was weakness
I forgive the man
Who confused distance with freedom

I forgive the silence
But I will not live there now

Let it tear
Let it fall
I don’t need protection from it all

Let me feel
Let me grieve
There is strength in being seen

I wore paper armor
Now I’m laying it aside
I don’t need to look unbroken
I don’t need another lie

Paper armor
Drifting softly into dust
I survived by being fearless
Now I’ll heal by learning trust

I looked so steady
I stood so tall
Now I know healing
Doesn’t mean hiding it all