Have you ever noticed her cracked lips
Bruises on her arms
Stress lines and eye bags
Or those tear-filled eyes at night

With those hollow eyes and cheeks
That forced smile remained still
She was born a fighter
But she learned to 'survive'

If a person falls apart alone in the dark
Will that make a sound
And when heard will it sound like
A shattering broken heart
So devastating and terrifying

Or is the sound a feeble soft
Hidden cry of help concealed
By the contrary phase "I'm fine?"
She sometimes wished to lessen
The burden upon this world

For once she wants to "Live"
And not survive or fight
To let go of the burden
That crushes her thoroughly 

For a caged bird to wish to fly
Away from its safe paradise
Into the heaven of "Freedom"!