He was used to abusing me,
Every night, I’d satiate his desire, silently.
But one night, I vowed it would end.
I hid a knife under the pillow, my heart aching to transcend.

Never fighting back, I’d weep,
As he’d threaten to end my life if I’d speak.
But as he groaned in satisfaction, I made my move,
Slowly pulling the knife, I jabbed it through his heart, a wicked groove.

I had to pick up my broken pieces,
He had destroyed my childhood, a heartbreaking release.
I was only 13, and he was my mother’s lover,
A sad truth Mama only discovered after the attempted murder.

He wailed, rolling off me,
I ran to the police, naked, to set me free.
Fortunately, the cut wasn’t too deep,
They locked him up for twelve years, a sentence to keep.

At least I got therapy to heal,
A long, hard journey, but I’m learning to feel.
Free from the chains that bound me tight,
I’m rising up, a survivor, shining with new light.