Protection

Struggling to make sense of where the responsibility lies on protection - is it my job to be protected, or to do the protecting - I hoped writing this would make it more clear to myself.

it's like you're screaming
but there's silence
bourne of secrets kept
(secrets mean safety;
secrets mean protection;
secrets mean there'll never
no, not ever,
be salvation)
and somewhere an echo
fades away
unheard.

where do you draw the line
between what was and is
and should never be
(what makes you stop;
hand back the blame
for burdens that were never
no, not ever,
yours to shoulder?)
she had a job to do; protection;
you did not fail her,
she failed you.

Author's Note

While all constructive criticism is both welcome and encouraged, please bear in mind that the lack of capitalisation on this piece is deliberate. Thank you for reading and for reviewing!