The Way Things Use To Be Poem by Jasmine Thompson

She was born cross-eyed
on December 20th

Her mom and dad
hated her

she was abused,
neglected

Abandoned at two
in her room

Moved to grandmas'
adopted at five

She seemed so happy
on the outside

She went through surgery
fixed her eyes

Fell down stairs
and bled and cried

Cut her hair short in second
got glasses in third

Went through a heartbreak
short afterwards

Tried again after two years
but just ended up in tears

Talked to her mother about her birthmom
finding out that she was horrible

She had tried to kill her
she had tried to starve her

Her mother now hurt her
she kicked and punched

She became her mother's scapegoat
for her brother's problems

Her brother wasn't any better
he hit her all the time
and went away for his crimes

When he finally left
her mom stopped hurting her
for the most part

She finally felt loved
but it was almost too late

The October and November before he left
she almost ended it all

Now she is left with scars

I wish they would leave
and quit reminding me


Of the way things use to be