Do You Know

Do you know who I am?
Do you know where I've been?
Do you know where I'm coming from,
or do you know me from within?
Do you understand who I am
or what I've become?
do you really know me
or where I am from ?
I know at times I am harsh
and my edges are rough.
It's an image I project,
In order to stay tough.
My past was fatal,
a battle zone.
In a family, feeling,
left all alone.
Can you understand
this life of pain?
It taunts my mind
like it's engulfed in flames.
Unless you've been there
you can only assume
that the pain I have
is like an empty room.
Perhaps padded or barred,
no windows or light,
dark and uncharted,
empty with fright.
I know I am not alone,
but at times I feel
that my horrible past
could not possibly be real.
Is this a wicked dream,
or some twisted joke,
of a story to be written
or a fable to be spoke.
I don't expect you
to understand.
The only request is
but these few demands.
Don't judge me for who I am.
Understand where I've been.
Accept where I'm coming from,
and learn to know me from within.