That mirror image isn't me
Could time have passed so suddenly?

The memories that I hold dear
Are memories of pain and fear

A barefoot girl, soft and shy
Gives way to woman, unsure why

Her carefree days have come and gone
What good is left is soon undone

A world she's in that isn't fair
The truth of it she sees laid bare

Cautiously she walks along
Inside, fading, is her song

Her many misteps often burn
Shows there's so much more to learn

Dreams fade to be replaced
By the challenges she now faced

Alone, afraid, and so unsure
Chances of escape are poor

As daylight fades to bitter night
All distraction now takes takes flight

A shadow figure, she lies broken
Heart and soul remain unspoken

One last road she contemplates
Silently to face the fates

A voice calls out "Just one more try!"
A spark of hope has yet to die

So that day begins the change
A life to slowly rearrange

Day by day she climbs a bit
Searching, longing for a fit

The lessons learnt are used to grow
As time moves in an endless flow

I can't stop now, I've come so far
Each new pain will form a scar

Tattoo of my slavery
Reminder of my bravery

Freedom beckons just ahead
Nothing more needs to be said

This here poem is not near done
As my life's tale has just begun