It Could Have

 
Deprived of nurturing a young
babe should’ve been shown
could have made a horrific
pathway for when I was grown
 
Neglected by those who should
have loved me unconditionally
could have made me bitter, cold,
and surly
 
Left by and given up on by ones
that should have stood by me
could have left me feeling defeated,
depleted, and unseemly
 
But….
I loved harder
I strived
I cared stronger
I survived