The Unseen Crown

She wakes before the rising sun, Before the world has just begun, No clock to guide her weary stride, Just love and duty side by side. She feeds the mouths with trembling hands, Wipes tears with hope that understands, A fortress built from flesh and grace, A thousand storms she learns to face. The house may shine, the beds all neat, But dust collects upon her dreams’ seat, Once she dared to hope, to sing, Now silence is her everything. They say she’s weak, they say she failed, That for her, her husband derailed, But did they see her bleeding soul? Or count the scars that made her whole? She bore his rage, his cruel demands, Still served him food with steady hands, Each time he broke her spirit's voice, She smiled—like she had no choice. Her children grew and called her "strong," Not knowing where they did belong— In dreams she left, in songs unsung, In battles fought and tears that stung. She longed to cry, to scream, to speak, But feared her father’s heart too weak, Feared her children lost and torn, If she told how her love was worn. "Where is God?" she dares to pray, "Do You still watch me night and day? I gave my life, my soul, my all, Yet no one hears me when I fall." Still she stands.