Battered and bruised
Kicked from pillar to post
Tired, hurt and used
Memories scare me the most

Hiding the pain, sometimes for years
Not talking although I know I should
Taught from day one to disguise all my fears
I’ve been living my life as damaged goods

Now the time has come when I just have to say
‘Enough is enough’ and reach out a hand
They surely must see I can’t continue this way
I’m not a machine, I’m only a man

The ghosts in my head may never all go
But I want just for once a normal life
To look in the mirror and always to know
I fought it and beat it for my kids and my wife