I Am A Survivor br by Barbara Lynn Terry br br I am a survivor of such abuse, br Of being abandoned, beaten, and raped. br I was a child of twelve, br Whose innocence was stolen, br By those who would delve, br Into devilish plans, br To rid themselves of me, br Because of this girl I just need to be. br br I am a survivor. br br I have been thrown to the wolves, br But my soul has remained unharmed. br br I am a survivor. br br I have been beaten until I bled, br By those who knew I couldn't fight back. br br I am a survivor. br br I have been raped in dark places every day, br Where the staff couldn't see, br Or just didn't care. br br I am a survivor. br br They tried to erase my female soul, br And I came out, my soul unscathed, br Knowing that one day I would be complete and whole. br br I am a survivor. br br I am a victim of the system, br That tried to destroy my dreams, br But I refused to let them see, br The terror deep inside, br I felt as this abuse I could not abide. br br I am a survivor. br br When I walk down the street, br I hear their laughter and whispers, br But I just continue on, br As though they were never there. br br I am a survivor. br br Am I now free of the demons that hide, br In the souls of the so-called righteous, br Who haven't a clue, br Of what is human kinds due. br br Am I free now to be, br Forever and ever, br This girl in me.