I want to say sorry for beating you up,

For offering you drink from a poisoned cup,

For you are me and I am you,

At least that’s one thing we know to be true.

I mocked your fear when you tried to speak,

Laughed at your tenderness and called it weak,

Buried your dreams where nothing grew,

I was the jailer that imprisoned you.

I wore your skin like a practiced lie,

Blinked your tears away, then let them dry,

Told the world you were doing really fine,

Whilst carving scars in a cruel jagged line.

I made you run when you longed for rest,

Chased perfection, and then ignored your best,

I fed you guilt and called it food

Trained you well in the school so crude.

But tonight, in our bed we quietly lye,

I meet your gaze, and I can’t deny,

You bore the weight I forced you to,

And still somehow, you carried on through.

So here I am, no mask, no shield,

A truce at last, a soul revealed,

Forgive me now, let’s start anew,

For you are me and I am you.