Once upon a time
There was a girl
Who wanted to make everyone happy
She wanted everyone’s eyes to sparkle
And everyone’s dimples to always be on show
This girl was chained to herself
She could never say no
Or politely decline
This girl had no voice
She could never speak out for herself
Or ask people to stop
Because, she wanted everyone to be happy
This girl was a ready doormat
For people to lay their troubles on
For people to lay their anger on
For people to satisfy their desires on
The girl’s lips were permanently sealed
By a thick tape of threats
And promise of disappointment
This girl was constantly smiling
Her eyes glossy with tears
Her mind was a constant state of turmoil
And fear
Fear that nobody would be happy
This girl’s body was full of scars
Scars from sharp things that she used in the night
To release the hurt
That completely dominated the her heart

Once Upon a time
There was a girl
Who’s only dream was to make everyone happy
Nowadays the girl
Lives in darkness
In fear that people will find out
She spends her time playing piano
The soft melancholy notes
Scoring out her sadness
The girl has still not found her voice
It lays buried beneath layers of betrayal
And yet
Still no one was happy