Memories

Her hand extended to caress my face, to wipe the tears away. gentle with a sense of grace. putting back the parts that fray. Hand approaching, instinctive defense kicks in, involuntarily coaching, mind offline, nerves began to spin. My arm moves on its own, wrist meets hand, bumping it aside. a movement sealed within my bone my eyes open wide. The flashes are back, seventh grade. a girl clothed in black, unsure why she was made. A boy about her age, with fist or word, externalizing his feeling of rage making her feel unheard. his foot against my shin The force splintering in pain. he will do anything to win he has become my bane. Fist against the locker, inches from my face. I hide the fear, what a shocker. leaving just a trace. His words piercing my skin, hate for myself permeates, the boundaries of what I let in, weakening my mental states. For a year I forgave, each hurtful move, I dug my own grave wanting to prove, (that I was ok) The flash has ended. My hands tremble, thoughts are blended my mind begins to reassemble. I guide her hand, his rule has come to an end those words will no longer land, I chose to let those holes mend. You will no longer have power over me. You have lost that right why cant you see, my soul in now light. This is my life, and it is a gift, I will not fill it with strife, From my path I shall not drift. I am stronger now, I've made the choice to live, And you'll never guess how. I chose to forgive.