They painted me loud when I chose silence
Called it pride when I chose not to plead
But they never asked what the silence cost
Only counted echoes they couldn’t read
I’ve been the storm and the shelter too
Holding space where no one knew
Not broken — just battle-born
Still standing where they swore I’d be torn
I cried, but not for them — for me
For the soul they tried to shrink, make less than free
I bled in silence, stitched my name in gold
They’ll never see the strength in what I hold
Not cold, just done pretending light is owed
I’m not the one who cracks — I reload
They call it drama when a woman speaks truth
But I’ve been bleeding honesty since youth
Taught to apologize for my loud mind
But I’ve stopped asking for space to shine
No pity, no rescue, I don’t chase
I plant my worth in untouchable grace
If I’ve been wrong, I own every part
But don’t rewrite my pain as weak heart
I cried, but not for them — for me
For the soul they tried to shrink, make less than free
I bled in silence, stitched my name in gold
They’ll never see the strength in what I hold
Not cold, just done pretending light is owed
I’m not the one who cracks — I reload
I see the mirrors crack when I look too deep
Reflections of truths they tried to keep
I was never fragile — just feeling too loud
Now I wear my pain like a thorned crown