You Don't Know

• Sharni Bennell, Grade 10
• Poetry
• 2013

You don't know how much it hurts
To lose your mother at twelve.
You don't know how long I cry at night
When I lay down my head.
You don't know how many times
I thought of ways to go to sleep forever.

You don't know how much it hurts
When it's mum's first death anniversary
And you don't let me see her headstone.
You don't know how much I hated you
When you tried to say sorry for hitting me
When you know you had no reason to.

You don't know how hurt and angry I was
When you could see your brothers
And you didn't let me see mine.
You don't know how much mum's cards
And letters mean to me
So why throw them out?

You don't know how hard it is
To put a fake smile that looks so real.
You just don't know!