Once there was a monster,
Now more than 11 years ago.
They stole from me a priceless treasure,
And left me struggling to cope.

Much like monsters in nursery closets,
In children’s nightmares and beneath their beds.
But much worse than imaginary threats,
Are living, breathing dangers instead.

Terrors who have no respect,
For safe words and boundaries.
Those who lurk in darkness waiting to pounce,
And that night, their prey was me.

For so long I tried to pray it away,
With a plastic smile on my face.
Spouting all the right answers
I knew were expected
Not letting them see my pain.

I thought their violation defined me,
That it left me broken and numb.
I beat myself for years internally,
Because I thought I’d been weak,
Letting myself be so dumb.

But now I finally see it,
I’m starting to understand.
Their carnality only speaks for them
They don't define me, only I can.

And although I’m not hateful, I’m angry
And for that I am justified.
But I’m relieved to uncover a different perspective,
In that I won’t say that night I died.
But rather that night taught me something,
A lesson I’ll never forget.
I am truly a survivor,

A title that deserves respect.

Grace
8/19/2016