Poem may trigger **

The window without a view from which I stare each day
Shows nothing but blank spaces, while children outside play.
But me, I feel so different you can see it in my eyes.
I didn’t dare to tell the truth in a silence filled with lies.
I know how I loved him, and I thought he loved me too,
Until one night, in awesome fright, he bruised me through and through.
He raped my mind and body, and made me scared of things to come.
I was buried in dark shadows and could not reach my mum.
He thinks he’s got away with it, but one day he will pay
It happened many years ago and it’s time I had my say,
How I hate my stepdad, and how I realise he is no good,
He’s never been repentant, or even understood.
Why should I be punished? Why should I take the blame?
Or be silenced by convention, to suit the adult game?
Now I’m a woman, fully grown, and my story must be believed:
Daddy stole my virginity, and he’s never even grieved.
He ravished my mind and body, and he pandered to his lust,
Then left me as a lifeless doll, as all paedophiles must.
Now I hate my daddy, and the cross he’s nailed to me.
I’ve exorcised my ghosts, and finally I am free.
Though I’ll never find the innocence that was robbed from my childhood bed,
Never know who I should have been, or the life I may have led,
I found a strength that was deep within
To survive this monster and not let him in.
So if you understand me, please understand my pain.
Don’t let your past rape you once again.
Be proud of who you are and what you have achieved.
I can feel your pain, and yes, you are believed.
You are a wonderful person, you’ve survived and you’ve pulled through.
There’s only one thing now you have to understand:
Everyone loves you.

By Sharon McGovern Author of ‘Afraid‘

~

Screaming In Silence

Screaming in silence
can anyone hear?
Screaming in silence
over come with fear
Screaming in silence
oh, how I cried
Screaming in silence
no where to hide
Screaming in silence
losing my mind
Screaming in silence
no peace can I find
Screaming in silence
no! not any more!
Screaming from the rooftop
you can’t hurt me any more!

Tori Rae

~

Beautiful Me:
Starving and cutting and try to feel the pain.
Nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Doing what I can to get perfection.
I hate what I see during my inspection.
All I want is to look like them and look pretty.
Don’t look at me like that, I don’t want your pity.
I see those magazines and instantly feel hate.
I can’t eat anything because I’m trying to lose weight.
So much pain and hatred I’m trying to hide.
No one can see these tears I’ve cried.
Skip breakfast and lunch and dinner too.
That still doesn’t satisfy me, I’ll try something new.
Grab a razor and press it against my wrist.
All I’m trying to do is feel like I exist.
Can anyone see all of the pain that I’m in?
Can anyone actually see past the depth of my skin?
Someone please look into the depths of my heart.
I feel like I’m being ripped completely apart.
Someone come and take my hand.
And help me up so I can stand.
Show me what it is that I cannot see.
Help me discover the beautiful me.

By Kassi Lynn

~

PAINT ME AS I AM

Take the paintbrush from my hand
And paint the person that you see
Not the one staring back at you
But the girl inside of me
Paint all the colours of my face
And in my personality
Paint the things so deep inside
That set my spirit free
Shed colours on my tears of hurt
That hold my pain inside
Paint the fear that lies within my soul
And all the things I hide
Let your paintbrush go from your hand
And paint who I am today
Not the girl I was before
But let those colours stay
Paint the person
I can’t help but be
Paint the girl
That I call “me”
Cover over my past
With a rich and darkest black
And paint my new stones
Without a single crack
Paint the words I wish
I had the courage to say
And will you paint HIM
Out of my life today??
Paint me as I see myself
Not who you think I am
Show the vulnerable side of me
That’s willing to take your hand
Paint the world I live in
That’s separate from you
Paint all the things in my life
That I cannot undo
Paint the scars deep in my soul
That leave my heart a mess
But also paint the part of me
That shows my very best
Paint all the pain
That no one ever knew
Uncover all the times
When I felt I was through
Paint the face of a child
Still looking through my eyes
Paint the girl that lies behind
This fake and vulnerable disguise
Please hold your paintbrush carefully
To catch me as I stand
Show the person inside of me
Paint me as I am

Sarah Walker

~

Letter To A Predator

Out of the darkness you entered my world
You a predatory man I never knew
Me a teenage Boy in your shop window of the vulnerable
You played on my trust and then blew it away
In a short vicious moment you built a monument
A monument of fear and doubt
A memorial to a young child who died that moment
Your monument is crumbling now
The memorial, no longer valid
The child is emerging from his deep hiding place
He’s coming out to play soon
To enjoy the sun again
Together we are tearing down your monument
We will replace it with our own
Our monument to freedom from fear, doubt and darkness
You will lose
We will win

By Pete Burton