Flash Back

I flash back to that night

Often.

Too often.

In some ways,

I wish that I’d gone to the cops.

In others,

I want you to live this

Seemingly happy

And perfect life,

Knowing and living with what you did.

You’ve caused me pain,

But I want you to know that

You only once broke me.

I’ve since picked up the pieces

And, though the scars remain,

I am in one piece now.

You didn’t tear me down forever.

In the end, you made me stronger.

I’ve learned to live with it.

I haven’t gotten over it,

I haven’t just dealt with it,

Because once you’re violated,

It’s not about getting over it–

It’s about living with it.

It took me some time to realize this,

But I want all the other people out there

That deal with any trauma

To know that it’s better to live with your pain

Instead of burying it like it didn’t happen.

It did happen,

And no matter how deep you shove it into the ground,

It happened.

The past is fact.

The present is decisions.

The future is potential.

So live with what’s happened,

Because that pain

Often makes you stronger than you know.