Lioness.

by Linda   Jun 7, 2015


You held my tears in your hands,
and tipped my chin upward to meet your eyes.

I blinked away,
and didn't wanna look.

Mine water,
I see yours too,

for the shame

dripping from me.

My hands shake,
yours steady them.

The color of your iris seems bluer
when you're hurting
with me.

The red inside them
reveals your anger for me,
because I don't have the capacity for rage.

You showed me,
I was not filth.
I was not a failure,

and I
was not finished.

You found the fight
in my flawed existence.

---

[Author's Note: This poem is about an advocate at a rape crisis center. She dove outside the lines of professionalism to help me, promising me she would never give up on me, never looking at me through the investigation like I'd done something wrong. She showed me compassion, perseverance, and love without condition. She is superwoman.]

If you have been sexually assaulted, please call:
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

    report violation
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Latest Comments

  • 1 year ago

    by Guilty By Design

    Oh man, this is deep. What a hard read. I hope you see brighter days.

  • 8 years ago

    by Katie Butterfly

    Thank you for this wonderful poem. I am a survivor myself and just finally starting to find my voice.

    You are a very brave person!
    Xo,
    Katie

  • 9 years ago

    by Rusheena

    Oh wow, Linda... This was hard to read, but I'm glad that you chose to turn something horrible into something beautiful. It's so easy to want to keep quiet about things like this, but I'm glad that you're turning it into inspiration for yourself and others. Great write!

  • 9 years ago

    by GB

    Weekly contest June 14th
    Judging comment:

    Very striking piece, I have been reading this and trying to figure out the relation between the writer and the main character, the poet penned her descriptive details very well and created an atmosphere that really drew the attention of the reader. Short elegant lines and words chosen carefully to emphasize every feeling. Successful lines by the end of the poem, making it memorable read.Well done indeed.

  • 9 years ago

    by -Choke-On-MY-Halo-

    Judging Comment

    Oh dear, how I start to describe this poem? It shows so much strength from the writer to have written such a moving piece, telling it from a first person perspective and pulling your heat right out of your chest. This particular piece is just inspirational since it shows that not everyone in this world is alone, that not everyone that has been kicked down to the point they have no self-esteem has no help because there is. There's so much strength in this poem I bow down and admire whoever has gone through themselves and survived! Beautiful poem!

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