Understanding

[icegreenstars]

Before you really understood,
you didn't use to need love
but rather thrived on it
as a child surrounded
by willing arms and caring smiles.
But after many years of
hiding in strange corners
which others would barely notice
to avoid the inevitable bruises
and more damaging explanations,
escape seemed more of a dream
than anything so enthralling as
a prince or that white dress.
Shells of expectations fall around you,
like cocoons as you see
confused faces, trying to understand.
You search for family in every arm;
in every smile or wince. Just a
shimmer of misunderstanding would do to
return you to that home,
or maybe just a little understanding would be enough
to stand in its place.