The Journey

 The Journey

Very early on in life her innocence was shattered,
Treated like it was a dream and that none of it mattered.
Neglected and ignored whenever was decided,
Stripped of every confidence which left her heart divided.

She had a sense of panic and an overwhelming doubt,
A sadness and a fear that remained with her throughout.
Life was very painful then, the boundaries had been set,
That time would have an impact that she never would forget.

Where was her security, assurance and respect?
They were the very things that she learnt not to expect.
She was different from her peers or at least that's how she felt,
She couldn't hold the devastating cards that she'd been dealt.

She left the family home just as quickly as she could,
Escaped from the trauma that had scarred her childhood.
As the years went by she expected nothing less,
Drawn to all the people that would add to her distress.

She was desperate to believe that their love was real and true,
Confirming that she had a worthy place and some value.
The pattern kept repeating, same person, different faces,
The shadow followed her around to all the different places.

Little did she know that she was her biggest rival 
But the constant pain and heartache would lead to her survival.
She had to reach her lowest point to acknowledge something higher
And realise that she could exist without the raging fire.

She wanted the injustices and gaslighting to cease,
She saw a life ahead where she washed herself with peace.
The first uncertain step, the beginning of the end,
The end of unhappiness; the time when wounds would mend.

She took herself away and left the misery behind,
Discarded every lesion by which she'd been defined.
Salvation awaited her, the knowledge she would win,
Knowing that her truest self had always been within.