I Can't Stop

There are many things I can't stop.

I can't stop the pain.
I can't stop the bleeding.
I can't stop the memories.

I can still remember their kicking
I still remember the jeering
I remember the malice on their faces.

I remember thinking to myself, "What have I ever done to deserve this?"
Then I remember I did do something to deserve the beatings.
I was born.
And that was all they needed.

It took me hours to stumble home.
They tied my arms around my back.
They're horrible people-
But I deserve it, don't I?
If I didn't deserve it, then why did they keep beating?