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
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.
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