Forgiven But Not Forgotten

I remember years ago,
when you were my biggest fear.
When every day you brought me pain,
And only laughed at every tear.

You slapped me for refusing,
To do as you would say.
You criticized me for my mistakes,
Or doing something the wrong way.

I was so afraid to speak.
So afraid to say what was on my mind.
Because anything I had to say,
I'd be made fun of every time.

You never cared that you hurt me,
Never said sorry when you made me cry.
I hated myself because of you,
And gave me a reason to want to die.

But somewhere along the way,
The bruises stopped coming.
Then was day I realized,
That I was no longer running.

The tears stopped pouring,
More and more each day.
When I thought you'd hurt me you didn't,
And had nothing mean to say.

Maybe you finally realized,
That what you were doing was wrong.
For ruining every piece of my life,
And for torturing me for so long.

You've told me you were sorry,
But I still wonder if it was true.
I told myself I'd never do it,
But I find myself forgiving you.

It took you this long to notice my pain,
But I finally don't dread each coming day.
I have forgiven all your careless mistakes,
But those memories will forever stay.