I am Violences' Victim br which scarred my soul br slammed it down br to earthly hell br seared it; br burned it; br made it cry br br It shriveled br to a gnarled br stunted hulk. br br There is no greater pain. br But I endured the pain. br I lived with the pain. br The pain became me' br dominated my life. br br I struck out at others. br Cursed others br Wronged friends br who tried to help. br br My victim violence br raged against them too. br br Yet br over time despite all that br I nurtured my soul. br Gave it milk, br walked with it day by day br toward recovery. br br Made it smile once a day br til a little of its pallor came back. br br I was Violence's Victim br until I realized br that one has to be willing br to allow the Soul to live br again br if not br then to die br is anti-climatic. br br I used to be Violence's Victim br now it runs away br having no more power over me. br br And my new power br is not over violence per se br but the power br not to let it br carry forth br from me br to others br another br singe br day.