Love Poem: My Own Heaven
Alex Duffy Avatar
Written by: Alex Duffy

My Own Heaven

I've been dragged through hell and been told everything I did was wrong
Neglected by my family, bullied and made to feel like I don't belong
Teachers didn't help, making a mistake was my best lesson
Life handed me pain, but I made my own heaven

I've been a man since before my tenth birthday
Had to play the adult role since my birth date
Passed around foster families I would hide in my room
Had a vision that I'd be saved soon

I'm far from perfect, but don't care what you think
Alcoholic family, so I grew up scared of the drink
I sip slow and drink rare
I write all day, so don't expect me to have any ink spare

I've had more one night stands than relationships 
I'm not proud of it, but I'm not ashamed either
It was supposed to heal me, but made the pain deeper
When love came my way, I didn't know what to make of it 

My parents never showed me it, so how could I accept it elsewhere?
I had to learn how to love myself and begin some self care
I was comfortable with a certain girl, but couldn't let her get closer
I was happy enough writing poetry in my room with my Tupac and Eminem posters 

Instead of crying over those who hurt me, I learned to laugh alone
I made myself a king even if I don't have the throne
I found comfort being by myself and stopped sleeping around and using girls
I was dragged through the ugliness, but made my own beautiful world 

My scars became a victory sign
My wounds will all heal in time
My smile became real and my tears vanished
I found happiness with myself, and fixed my heart's damage

I've been dragged through hell and been told everything I did was wrong
Neglected by my family, bullied and made to feel like I don't belong
Teachers didn't help, making a mistake was my best lesson
Life handed me pain, but I made my own heaven