IN MY DEFENCE

In my defence,

I was only trying to find my way,

Through roads I had never walked before,

And battles I could not explain.

In my defence,

I did not always get it right,

I stumbled, I fell, I cried,

But every morning I gathered my strength

And tried once again with pride.

In my defence,

You saw my silence and called it weakness,

You saw my tears and called them defeat,

But you never knew the weight I carried.

In my defence,

I cared too much for people

Who sometimes cared too little for me.

I gave my heart without counting the cost,

Hoping kindness would set me free.

In my defence,

I made mistakes, but I learned from them.

I lost people, but I found myself.

I trusted, I loved, I forgave,

Even when forgiveness hurt my heart.

So, if you judge me,

Remember that you know only my story

From the pages you have read.

You never lived my moments,

You never heard the thoughts in my head.

In my defence,

I am still standing.

Still learning, still growing, still alive.

And after everything I have faced,

I choose to heal,to hope,

And I choose to survive.