Blame The Trigger, Not The Flame Poem by Vanessa Alvarez

They say I'm too loud, too harsh, too wild,
But never recall how they first defiled.
They point at my anger, my voice, my tone,
Yet skip the disrespect they'd fully condone.

They twist the truth, they shift the blame,
And leave me drowning in silent shame.
They call me the problem, the one who's wrong,
But I've been surviving their poison too long.

They act like my reaction came out of the blue,
Ignoring the storm that they always brew.
They play the victim, so calm and composed,
While I wear the wounds they never exposed.

But I've learned to see through the clever disguise,
To name the abuse behind the lies.
No longer will I carry the guilt,
For fires don't burn without being built.

So blame me if you must, go play your part—
But I know the truth that lives in my heart.
Manipulation may twist what you see,
But it won't rewrite what you did to me.