I see the eyes of the child
In your face
Shining brightly
Then recoiling suddenly, imploring
As you whisper
The horrors you have witnessed

Secrets you have kept
Shame you have felt
Guilt you have borne
When you were too young
To bear it

The fear you endured
The terror of your survival
The aching for a new dawn
The longing for safety

All are yours

Friend
You share
Your darkest secrets with me
Guiding me willingly
Through the dark, screaming tunnels
Of a traumatic youth

And I see your fear
I see your despair
Written with a tear
In your human eyes

Why am I telling you this?
You ask me
And I listen, with all my being
To the darkness of your sorrow

Friend
I know that you are ready
To be who you truly are
To set the child free
To become the one
You have the right to become

Yours is the future now
The tormentors are gone
Their histories will no longer
Strangle your hopes

When I sit with you
Silent
In the pitch black caverns of the past
I listen and I listen

And
Wonder

As you become
A candle
You become
A flame
You become
A beacon
You become
An inspiration
For millions and millions of lives
For whom terror
Is
The truth

In your search for your truth
You illuminate the truth for me
And I
Am left
Humbled
By your gift
Honoured by
Your life
Changed by
Your courage
Renewed by
You