Branded

You thought you won.
Leading me to your bedroom, your bed,
You struck a match, and white hot flames
Seared your brand onto my soul,
One touch at a time.
I believed I was yours -
Damaged,
Dirty,
Worthless.
I split in two,
Disappearing into No Man's Land,
Praying you could not follow.
You rained down hail from turbulent black clouds.
It was the Storm of the Century,
And there was no shelter for my fractured mind.
I lost myself for three years.

That was then.

This is now.

Wounds heal.
Scars fade.
I'm rising up
Like a Phoenix
From the ashes you left behind -
Strong,
Determined,
Unbreakable.
I will reclaim my life.
You have no power over me.
And when I stand tall
And tell everyone what you did,
You will pray you could disappear,
But there will be
Nowhere to run
Because this time
I AM NOT AFRAID.