Member-only story
Life Betrayed — 10
A journey
This is the last of ten connected poems about abuse and possible recovery. Some people may find the content confronting, even disturbing. It contains strong language and is emotionally charged. The content is not suitable for children.
A loving warmth imbued my chest and light
danced round my head and gently filled the night.
I felt uplifted by enfolding grace,
the stone inside me gone, my carapace
dissolved. Now bodiless, I floated free.
And then I heard an inner voice decree
that having reached the deepest of despair,
I had reached out in fervent, silent prayer
while lost in dreams. All I had done to date
to make up for no longer being eight
and loved, had been by choice. I now could choose
to start again by loving me, or lose
myself once more to neediness and pain.
The choice was mine: the golden thread, or chain.
This numinous and loving, rich embrace
left me with knowing that a state of grace
was mine to have. My parents’ love at eight
was once again for me to celebrate.
So now I lie here on an unmade bed,
I hug my knees and smile at what’s ahead.
