It’s all relative, you see;
They really can’t break me.
I’ll never be so bruised
That I can’t still be amused.
Well, I might not always smile
But just give me a little while
And in time, I am quite sure
I will prove I can endure.
Look at me! I’ve come so far
That it almost seems bizarre
To think of all the pain
That I thought I fought in vain.
But in time I’ve realized
It would actually be wise
To boldly wear a grin:
Pretended joy soon spreads within.
I’m never quite as broken
As the hatred that they’ve spoken
And the threats that they once made
Mean that they were more afraid.
I’m sure they hurt much worse!
Such deep hatred is a curse.
Think of the guilt it cost!
I know that they’re more lost.
My fears are all appeased
And with myself, I am quite pleased.
Who’s more broken? No one could say,
But it doesn’t matter anyway.
Author notes
after-silence
This poem is about overcoming rape. I don't think we ever forget what happened and we'll never be the same as we were before, but sometimes it's still possible to find little bits of healing and strength. I lost my virginity at the age of 15 to strangers who somehow felt that it would be ok to hurt someone like that. I spent so long blaming myself, and it's a little refreshing to sometimes remind myself that it wasn't my fault after all and that they didn't break me.
- Rape Victims group list • next in list
A contest entry
- I'm looking for favourites!!! :) by Luckintheshadows.
625 points, ended July 11, 2008, 37 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Dancing with the Scars II by Kathryn Bowden.
600 points, ended July 13, 2008, 9 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Rape by Angelic Vampiress.
600 points, ended July 20, 2008, 18 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - When Life Stresses You Out Just P*ss On It. by Poetryintheblood.
450 points, ended July 18, 2008, 9 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - anything your heart desires, prewrites, new, everything! by wendymolly.
555 points, ended July 27, 2008, 41 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Poetry, Poetry and PreWrites! by Lost Vampyre Angel.
1200 points, ended September 13, 2008, 341 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
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Wow. I hope one day I can be as strong as you and get to this place.
Well done, I'm glad you've overcome this
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This poem is so powerful. It's almost as if I was in the poem.(: Great work keep it up. I've read some great poems but this one just went to the top of my list!
I love your work, it actually brings inspiration, unlike other works I've read.
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This is an inspirational poem especially with your author notes. I bet it was very hard to cope with, and this poem will relate to alot of people who have been through the same thing and in some ways it could help them to. I really liked this poem it has great emotion and feeling to it. Thanks and keep up the writing!
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wow, your author's notes really explained in more detail what is being truthfully expressed! Your a contest finalist! congrats!
take care,
~pithyAplomB. -
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Thanks! Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I appreciate the comment and award. Thanks!
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This poem is absolutely amazing. I loved it and a lot of people have gone through this and I'm sorry for those who have. They didn't ask for it, it's just the way that things turned out. Wrong place, wrong time. Congratulations on the trophies that this poem won. It was definitely deserving of it. God bless you always in everything you do and write and keep up the astounding work.
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Thank you very much. I agree that it's not something anyone asks for or deserves. Thanks for the kind words; I appreciate them.
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Wow
I know many people who have gone through this and it's a very painful experience that never can just be earsed. Thank you for writing this. I think this is something that needed to be wrote. To me, there's always this story (whether it's your own or not) that just has to be put to paper and I believe this is one of those. it's hard to write something so intense you hold the readers emotions to what the author feels. I believe you have achieved that very well. You are moving on to the first round congrats! I will stay in contact with you to let you know whats next. Scoring:
Creavity- 10/10, emotion- 17/20, wording- 13/15, overall you scored a good 40
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Thank you for the comment and the update!
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Another one that hit home for me.When I was 6 through 10,this happened to me..I love it.Its powerful and it makes me pissed off.At all the people who get away with doing this.All of them. But Love it.Good Job.And Good Luck!
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I'm really sorry that you can relate to this. I appreciate your comment and the fact that you like this poem. Thanks!
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Rape in any way is the worst thing that can happen to a person.
The content is well written and powerful
but the rhyming is way too forced.
Poetry doesn't have to rhyme at all;
remember that.
Thank you for entering.
♥
~Princess of Shadows~ -
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Thanks for the comment and the suggestion
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thsnk you for entering this is a great poem I loved it keep being strong dont give up
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Thanks so much for the support, and for hosting the contest!
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Thank you for your profoundly spoken entry,I can very much relate to your write, as I too was sexually abused at the ages of 9 and 10, and have spent many long years suffering for it, good luck in my contest, Josie
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I'm sorry to hear that you can relate to this; it is not something I would want for anyone. I hope that you have found healing and comfort. It saddens me to hear of others going through this type of ordeal as well. Take care. Thank you for your comment and for hosting this contest!
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A wonderful message within this write. My parents always told me I should feel sorry for the people who tease me because they must be miserable to feel the need to put others down. This was great. Thanks for entering
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Thanks! I think the overall message behind this is more universal than my particular circumstances. So many times in life we take things personally and let other people's actions make us unhappy when really that's only giving them more powerful over us. Anyway, thanks so much for the comment and for hosting this contest!
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This is a powerful write and you show wisdom well beyond your years. It takes most people many years to reach the kind of acceptance you show here, and some never reach it. I have a newer poem you may relate to. http://allpoetry.com/poem/4400363
I have written many poems about healing from abuse and such. I look forward to reading more of your very insightful writing. Nice poem! Blessings, Patty
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Another link! Awesome (Honestly I was planning to go through and look at your poetry, so links to some of the ones you think I'll relate to are actually exciting haha.)
I'm really glad you like this. I think that this one is among my favorites of anything I've ever written. I really appreciate you reading and commenting; you say such kind things. In my other comment to you I mentioned that I don't always have such a positive and accepting point of view; I'm not quite healed enough to make that constant, but I'm getting to the point where at least most of the time I'm able to look at it without blaming myself or feeling complete despair. Again, many thanks! -
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Truthfully I don't know if anyone is ever finished healing. I am much older than you, and I still struggle with some issues. I also understand the depression part of it. I just know that I am way beyond where I used to be and it does get better. These are things which cannot ever be forgotten. I try to look at the positives if there are any. That is to remember that I am who I am because of my experiences, good and bad, and what I do with that is up to me now. I can be bitter and angry, or I can choose to be compassionate and help others to know that they are not alone. I like the latter better.
You seem like you are doing great, and don't worry about the down times; we all have those and you are allowed. Blessings, Patty
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Thanks... It really is helpful to hear that message of hope from someone who knows that it DOES get better. I know that everyone has ups and downs in life no matter what their circumstances and that what happened to me doesn't change that; it'll only make it a little bit more of a challenge to get through some of the downs. I think I've been blessed to have a wonderful life in every other area--some parts of my life are so perfect they're like a dream. It would be selfish and stubborn of me to let one event make me constantly unhappy when I'm so lucky with the rest of everything. It really does feel like it comes down to attitude, and while I spent a long time not caring and not wanting to be happy, I honestly can't see myself being quite that upset and depressed again. I'm not going to let it happen. Hard times are understandable, but I won't let myself wallow. Ok enough of my rambling, sorry about this and thanks so much for your helpful and uplifting words.
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this is wonderful! It is so true, as I have found in my own life, those who abuse and hurt others are, in fact, hurting themselves even more. You have written a piece so full of light and life. Good luck and God bless!
Kathryn
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Thank you so much! I'm really glad you like it and agree. Thanks for hosting the contest
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yeah, this is SPECTACULAR!!! the hope and positivity of this poem brightens my day immeasurably. Your words are bright and filled with wisdom.
Thank you for sharing this, and for taking the time to enter my contest,
Luck. -
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Thank you! I'm really glad you like it. Thank you for hosting the contest.
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beautifully penned. seems you've been dealing with a lot from this poem. Hopefully your scars heal soon
Rose -
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I think I have. Pain is relative I guess. It's all healing though; it's from a few years ago. I'm fine, and there's definitely a lot in my life going really well so it's not controlling me as much as it used to. The scars will fade eventually. Maybe they'll never go away, but I wouldn't expect that.
Thanks for reading and commenting
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wow, i must say you write past your age. the feeling you show in your poetry...
I love reading every word. you have a way with words hun.
I cant wait to read more from you <3
"Well, I might not always smile
But just give me a little while
And in time, I am quite sure
I will prove I can endure."
beautiful writing
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Sorry to be responding so late. Thank you for reading and commenting. Out of the poetry I've written so far I think I have to say this is my personal favorite. Maybe from a literary standpoint it's not as good--the structure and rhyme are simplistic and I have absolutely no imagery or anything exciting like that--but the message is really, really personal and important to me. Again, thank you!
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all that matters is what you think hun.
but i really loved this one to <3 -
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yeah.. that's the way I see it too. sometimes I make myself read this poem until it feels true again.
thanks, it's nice to know you also like it
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