I wrote this poem because for a long time my life felt filled with silent pain. I grew up feeling alone even around people and I learned to hide my emotions because I thought nobody would understand me. As I got older I searched for love and comfort in others, hoping to finally feel important and cared for.

When I became pregnant, everything changed. I was scared, judged, and abandoned. There were nights when I felt completely broken.As my baby grew inside me, I realized I finally had a reason to keep fighting. For the first time I felt a pure love that gave me strength instead of pain.When my child was born,I understood that my past did not destroy me. I could still become someone strong.

I’m still here

by Dorcius Lynn Beverley

I was born in a place

Where love had lost its address.

I was taught pain

Even before teaching me how to live

The days?
I was surviving.

The nights?
I was crying without noise.

I was broken…

But I didn’t disappear.

I grew up in the dirty.

So I looked elsewhere.

In my friends.

In their laughter.

With them,

I was me

But I didn’t even know who it was.

I liked it

Or at least, I tried.

I gave my heart

As if someone was finally going to take care of it.

Then I moved.

Changed air.

Thought to change my life.

But the pain…

She doesn’t take the plane.

She travels with you.

And then him.

The one who makes your heart beat

Just strong enough

To make you believe that you finally exist.

But him?

He stepped back.

Denied.

Disappeared.

And I stayed.

With a growing belly

And a world that judges me.

The words that sting,

The loneliness that sticks to the skin.

Too much pain for one heart.

There were days

Where I no longer wanted to be there.

But then there was a heartbeat.

Yours.

And that…

It changed everything.

I understood something:

I may not have been chosen by life…

But you,

You were choosing me.

So no.

I didn’t leave.

I kept my head up

Even when everything in me wanted to fall.

I fought.

Not for me.

For you.

Then you arrived.

And there…

Nothing was the same anymore.

Your first cry

Repaired a silence I had always had.

I looked at you And I swore:

“I’m not going to make you live what I went through.” “I will love you

Like no one has loved me.” Since that day,

I’m not the same anymore.

I’m a mother.

Not perfect. But present.

Tired.

But standing.

Broken sometimes. But never finished.

Because now,

I have a reason to win

When I look at you,

I don’t just see a baby.

My light.

My living proof That I survived.

And today I say it out loud: Yes, I suffered.

Yes, I cried.

Yes, I almost fell.

But look at me… I’m still here.

And this time,

I won’t just survive.

I will succeed.

I am going to get up.

For you For me

For the girl I was

And the woman I am becoming.