Mama, I Feel Like A Stranger In My Own House by Dylan Dial (18, Texas)

[Content warning: domestic abuse]

Mama, I feel like a stranger in my own house
Tell me do you hear me now, can you help me out? 

I can trace every touch, every step, every breath we made
Halls of this place heard his yells 
Walls of my room listened for my sobs 
Hope the brackish tears make the memories fade 

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Been gone for so long, I forgot I ever left 
Let me leave again, before I say some things I won't regret 

I'm sorry you raised me like this 
Pain a pill will never truly fix
He's lucky there are still days I love him 
Sometimes simple is as good as it gets 

Mama, I feel like a stranger in my own house
Empty but still my voice is small 

We cried behind doors 
Secrets untold, 
I did not unfold 
Curled up bruised, I could nearly taste these floors 

Close to my sisters as we hold each other 
From right here I can clearly see their bright red cheek color 

His number was up 
But still I see him in others faces 
Pieces of my youth scattered 
Broken like a shattered window, incomplete 

Mama, I feel like a stranger in my own house
Don't let him get me, got to keep my voice down

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