Sunday, April 25, 2021

THE SURVIVOR

Submitted to Poets & Storytellers United, and to dVerse   April 25, 2021 This is not autobiographical, but honors a survivor I know and admire.  

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THE SURVIVOR

She left in disarray, thoughts scattered

with only vestiges of broken dreams

betrayed, abused, emotions tattered

she’d lost herself, a victim of his schemes

escape and freedom all that mattered

she fled with faith alone, or so it seems.

she vowed to find a safe and better place

where she'd find peace and healing

 regaining strength and renewing grace.


slowly they returned, the things she treasured

things she scarcely realized she’d lost

confidence, identity, resolve unmeasured

she came to know how great had been the cost

when she had lived only to see him pleasured

and he, in turn, had cruelly double-crossed.

she put in the past the deceit and degradation

and faced her future, filled with celebration.


15 comments:

  1. Oh... we as humans can do terrible things to each other, but the level of control some men feel they have to have of their wives is among the worst. To get out is a victory.

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  2. What we do foolishly for what we think is love. Well written Bev.

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  3. Beautiful. Filled with celebration in the end!

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  4. This is an amazing tribute to your friend.

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  5. I listened to a radio play yesterday that was about a similar scenario. Why do we let ourselves be taken in and destroyed? I have been there in the past and survived, and it took me a long time to trust a man again.

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  6. How wonderful is this turn around from betrayal and abuse to celebration and confidence.

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  7. Yes Bev, well rendered, especially on behalf of someone you know and care for. However low we are, however we have been mistreated - redemption is always possible, as long as our heart is still both feeling and beating! That is the essence of the human spirit for me.

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  8. she put in the past the deceit and degradation
    and faced her future, filled with celebration

    It is the right way to just forget the past and face the future not having any feelings of disappointments or regret.

    Hank

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  9. The two contrasting stanzas bring hope from the darkness. Thank goodness some have the strength and support to move forward. Sadly, some do not.

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  10. May I just add .... I am woman, hear me ROAR!!!!!

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  11. Thank goodness she got away before she was totally shredded, as happens all too frequently. Great Tale, well told, Beverly!

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  12. Wonderful sensitive telling of being lost and then found. I'm glad she survived and I'm glad she persisted to get back.

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  13. Wonderful storytelling of overcoming so much pain and loss. Beautiful flow of words.

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  14. Oh I was celebrating with your heroine as I read this! It takes real strength to go through such an ordeal and come out the other side...

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  15. I know survivors, and though this pays tribute to the one you know, it fits those I know too making this a wonderful tribute to all survivors. I love the celebration at the end, so fitting as redemption/hope/new future.

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