I Once Was A Victim

Once a battered girl,
beaten with beatitudes and a belt,
trodden like thyme between hard rocks.

Once a bludgeoned wife,
threatened with words and weapons,
branded like chattel upon bruised flanks.

Once a bashful student,
filled with humility and hope,
infused like vodka over fleshy fruits.

Education, errors, and experience;
trials, time, and finally trust.

Then a blossoming woman,
sweetened with kisses and caresses,
softened like chocolate in hot hands.

Now a burgeoning surgeon,
endowed with power and pride,
hardened like steel in fiery forges.

And no longer victim: now cherished lover,
empathic caregiver and truth-speaker.

Joan Huffman 08/02/2009