LIFE Poem: Tell Me, by Alysson Smith

Say you’ve expected more
but that does not help me
Say you’re disappointed
yet taught me my ways

Discipline me for my addiction
even though you cough after a hit
Scold me for my isolation
then why get mad when I’m around

Favor her over me
despite my effort to be seen
Favor them as well
still I try to impress you

Can you tell me why
I’m the least favorite
and the outcast after
everything I’ve done for you

Tell me why I suffer
all you do is ignore me
Tell me why you won’t help
while I sit here screaming

Despite all of my effort
to get you to understand
I still drink, I still smoke
I still cut, I still starve

Begging and pleading
for you to open your eyes
Tell you all of my problems
and you turn around to close the door

Let me tell you now
that door has claw marks
it has scrapes and cuts
same ones on my body

Keep sitting there
neglecting the door
And once you decide to open it
you will never see me again.