I was eight when I was humiliated and raped,

My rapist wasn’t unkind and I didn’t feel unsafe,

That didn’t stop him from twisting my fate,

For I was taught love…

BUT I WASN’T TAUGHT RAPE!

I was keeping a secret years beyond me,

This wasn’t affecting the people I see,

No one was outraged because nobody knew,

Even I didn’t know it was a crime…

I HAD NO CLUE!

By the time that I did,

It was already too late,

I heard they way they spoke about victims today,

Raised in a church so that added to my shame,

Of course being a woman,

I WAS CONDITIONED TO TAKE THE BLAME!

I’m no longer scared and never, ever, nervous!

I no longer tell myself I did something to deserve it!

Each day it gets easier but I do have an occasional bad day,

IT’S MY STORY SO DON’T TELL ME WHAT TO SAY!

I watch mothers punish when they speak out,

Young victims left with nothing but doubt,

Don’t let it weigh heavy on your chest

Childhood rape isn’t about being violent

WE ARE THE VICTIM AND WE WON’T BE SILENCED!!!!