Soul Violence-Tina's Story Poem by Lonnie Hicks

I am Violences' Victim
which scarred my soul
slammed it down
to earthly hell
seared it;
burned it;
made it cry

It shriveled
to a gnarled
stunted hulk.

There is no greater pain.
But I endured the pain.
I lived with the pain.
The pain became me'
dominated my life.

I struck out at others.
Cursed others
Wronged friends
who tried to help.

My victim violence
raged against them too.

Yet
over time despite all that
I nurtured my soul.
Gave it milk,
walked with it day by day
toward recovery.

Made it smile once a day
til a little of its pallor came back.

I was Violence's Victim
until I realized
that one has to be willing
to allow the Soul to live
again
if not
then to die
is anti-climatic.

I used to be Violence's Victim
now it runs away
having no more power over me.

And my new power
is not over violence per se
but the power
not to let it
carry forth
from me
to others
another
singe
day.