[CLOSED FOR SUBMISSIONS] Stronger than You 2017

Part 15: Light Giver

Written by: Anonymous

Important Message: About one in every five women in college experiences some form of sexual assault, but only 63% of women ever report their assault to police or university officials. If you or someone you know is dealing with these experiences, please seek help. Know that there are people who care and will support you.

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The dedication: This poem has been written for and is dedicated to Naomi Fisher @LitchieRue). She is the real Light-Giver. Her book, Purple Ribbon Girl, is an act of courage and a testament of her strength. Naomi shares her story so that others may know that they are not alone.

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The Light Giver (For Naomi)

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Don't say

That it was all my fault.

Don't tell me

That I only dreamed

Of this assault,

That it wasn't you

Who destroyed my faith

And took away what I thought was true.

Don't say it,

Don't say it,

Don't say it!

~

Don't walk away now,

Not when I am ready

To show you how

Deeply and utterly wrong

This whole affair has been,

Not when I am ready to shine a light

On what you did,

Not when I have risen again,

Holding my shield

And wielding my blade.

Don't walk away!

Don't' walk away!

Don't walk away!

~

Don't pretend

That you once cared,

Because you have left me for dead,

Broken and confused.

You have trampled on my soul,

Left me alone and abused.

You had me believing

In the lies you said,

Doubting what I knew to be true

In my head!

Don't pretend!

Don't pretend!

Don't pretend!

~

But this is over now!

I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU DO ANYMORE!

Because I have been reborn somehow,

Made anew with the power

To see right through you

And to undue all that have been done.

This is over now,

Because I have begun

To become a champion of courage

And the testament of my will

To do more than just overcome.

~

I declare myself from the ashes

Of my past:

I am the light-giver

I am she who talks truth

I am the healer of the fallen

I am the life-giver of hope

I am she who stands strong and high

I am the one who will never leave any behind.

~

I declare myself to this world

So others with troubled pasts

May walk with me down this new path,

And let our voices be heard.