On the Past that Held Me There

I'll tell you what I used to be, I used to be so scared
I sat alone in fearful watch, as the world weighed down on me
With watchful eyes you criticized, each tear became a flaw
Emotions I could no longer show, and I threw away the key
Temptation pulled me closer, and freedom called my name
But the watcher's blocked out its voice, and told me what to think
I found that I could no longer breathe, and I let darkness take me in
Memories came upon me, and I found myself a lie
A tragic tale of broken dreams, and hiding from the past
Justice lost, my voice was stolen, and it took away my pride
I realized what I had become, not even a reflection of myself
A mask was worn to hide the pain, to hide my former life
Each day now my prison cell, escape seemed void to me
I let the darkness take control, and it took away my name
I turned my back on hope, and in freedom I could no longer believe
Until the truth came breaking in, and it broke away the chains
It held me close, and I recognized the mistakes that fear had made
The darkness tried to pull me back, into a world of shameful pain
But I could see the light was stronger, and at last I was set free
To live the life I was meant to live, to be the one only I could be
Their watchful eyes still criticize, now with envy rather than hate
I had found the path I was meant to walk, the fear I left behind
In judging eyes I was nearly lost, in acceptance I was freed
I found the key I had once lost,and tossed away the mask
I finally embraced the freedom that had been there from the start
The freedom that was me