Maybe I Could Have Breathed - Steph Scott

If I had known when I was thirteen

instead of hiding behind a door of shame

maybe I could have breathed

I think I may have even dreamed

of a life with far less pain

if I had known when I was thirteen

Had I not been buried beneath

a crushing mound of sin and blame

maybe I could have breathed

If you’d helped me feel loved and seen

maybe I’d have found the words to claim

if I had known when I was thirteen

Had you told me you were pleased

and would love me all the same

maybe I could have breathed

If I’d been allowed to smile and gleam

and with pride, embraced myself and name

if I had known when I was thirteen

maybe I could have breathed

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Steph Scott (she/her) is a queer writer and former English teacher who holds an MFA in Creative Writing Young Adult Literature. Her novel Come Back Alive was longlisted for the Voyage Literary "Love & War" contest, and you can find more of her work at Bright Flash Literary Review, Just Femme & Dandy Magazine, and Sad Girls Club Literary. She is represented by Lizz Nagle at Victress Literary and can be found at skscottwriter.com, and on Twitter, IG and Bluesky as @skscottwriter.