Never Protected

I was a child, you were my guide, but You left me alone, nowhere to hide Your words cut deeper than any knife Shaming the body that carried my life You said I'd tempt the eyes of your men Told me to cover again and again But their gaze wasn't mine to control, I was Your daughter, not their goal You never protected me, never took my side Left me alone with no place to confide Your love was a prison, your silence a cage I've carried your shame; I've swallowed my rage But I'll rise from the ashes, break every chain No longer your victim, no longer in pain You called his actions a father's way, but no father Should make their child afraid Dismissed my cries, ignored my fear, your silence Screamed louder than I could hear This wasn't the first time you stood aside While your lovers destroyed my fragile pride I wanted protection, a safe embrace, but you Chose your men and left me displaced You never protected me, never took my side Left me alone with no place to confide Your love was a prison, your silence a cage I've carried your shame; I've swallowed my rage But I'll rise from the ashes, break every chain No longer your victim, no longer in pain You never protected me, never took my side Left me alone with no place to confide Your love was a prison, your silence a cage I've carried your shame; I've swallowed my rage But I'll rise from the ashes But I'll rise from the ashes, break every chain No longer your victim, no longer in pain You called his actions a father's way, but no father Should make their child confide Your love was a prison, your silence a cage I've carried your shame; I've swallowed my rage But I'll rise from the ashes, break every chain No longer your victim, no longer in pain I've built my strength from all you denied Found my voice in the tears I've cried You never protected me, never took my side Left me alone with no place to confide Your love was a prison, your silence a cage I've carried your shame; I've swallowed my rage But I'll rise from the ashes, break every chain No longer your victim, no longer in pain I've built my strength from all you denied Found my voice in the tears I've cried You never protected me, but now I see, the Power to heal is within me.