Some may think this poem is somewhat personal and shocking to read; however, it is my greatest literary pride. It describes a traumatic event that occurred to me at a young age in a foreign environment that truly changed my life. I read it aloud last year at a poetry slam and received a standing ovation. I pray it speaks to others who have experienced a similar situation and brings them hope in knowing that anything is possible to overcome.

1. Soul Restored
By Hannah Joy Stacy
Blindly Innocent,
Beautifully tormented
French kids are so mean.
Popular Loneliness
Lost in a daze
Countries, Languages, Men
Flashed by in a haze.
The day I met you-
The whole world stopped turning.
As you forced yourself on me
All expectations began burning.
You stole my soul
That summer day
And for years you kept it
As I lived in dismay.
I dreamt of your ruin
As days and nights passed
I dreamt of your death
Of you turning to ash.
15 years later; here I stand now
Hope on the brink,
A life lived somehow.
I still see you in men-
In their comments and stares.
I’m wide awake now-
Approach me if you dare.

2. No longer will you ruin me
No longer will I cry
No more will I suffer
No more will I die.
Hope restored, ambitiously brave
Nothing can stop me-
For my fate God has saved.
Awake from a dream
Finally I can see
That ultimately I’m grateful
For what you did to me.
Rape made me strong,
It kept me so wise.
Never once have I feared
Never once did I hide.
I am the victor
Now you are the foe
Your judgement will come-
As you boil below.
Grace gave me confidence
To say what I say.
Grace continues to prove
A beautiful life among days.
Now; I am strong, I am ready I am prize
You stole a young soul-
But were NOT its demise.