When I was young, and you were old,

your child abuse was brave and bold.

Bereft of warmth, harsh and cold.

Now I’m grown, please be told.

You took every day I had.

You took my infancy.

You took my childhood.

You took my youth.

You took my adolescence.

You took my education.

You took my life chances.

You took my mental health.

You took my physical health.

You took my social health.

You took my self-awareness.

You took my self-esteem.

You took my sense of self.

You took my pride.

You took my honour.

You took my body.

You took my soul.

You took all that I had.

You took all that I was.

And yet, in the final analysis, you have nothing, and I have it all. It is better to give, than to receive. So, accept my forgiveness and please just leave.