Feelings On Paper

Progress

Today,
a day to remember.

As I awake,
I realize the time that has passed,
since I last saw you.

It's been five long months,
since you terrorized my dreams.

I have not awoken to cold sweats,
crying and shouting,
and I had somehow forgotten,
what a good night's sleep felt like.

I can't see you in my memory anymore—
Is this progress?

Forgetting your torturing memory,
and your unwanted touch...

Ah,
I still remember,
but I guess that'll be with me forever.

The trauma is what has ceased,
for the night terrors,
have finally stopped.

The shaky breaths,
the sudden anxiety rising,
the disgust of my own body—
when was it last I felt it all?

Your past actions' effect is gone—
Is this progress?

Taking a breath in,
a sudden serenity over takes my body,
and I can't help but exclaim:
"So this is what relief feels like."