|
[Library] Who Knew It Had A Name?
by Nikki RiceWhen I was twenty one,
so young,
I was witness
to a crime,
ugly time,
but was fine.
When I was twenty two,
young too,
I touched a man,
tied a noose,
too loose.
No excuse.
When I was twenty three,
now me,
I drove away
in a car.
While so smart,
just a start.
When I was twenty four,
still sore,
it hurt so much,
deep inside,
begged and cried
not to die.
When I was twenty five,
alive,
I got angry;
Found a name
for the shame,
shed the blame.
Now that I'm twenty six,
it sticks:
Rape. The name's Rape.
Now aware
it wasn't fair,
and so I care.
(Again.)
Because I know, I can let go.
Because I'm here, I have no fear.
Because that crime was never mine:
to witness,
to bear,
to forget
or to care.
When I'm twenty seven,
Heaven
can be a place
inside me,
that I'll see.
O, I'm free.
04/29/2009
Author's Note: Very hard for me to write... Please read it out loud. This poem may have a simple form and almost childish language, but once you let it roll off your tongue, you'll see that it doesn't need "big words" - the little ones are heavy enough.
Posted on 04/30/2009
Copyright © 2025 Nikki Rice
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Genevieve Sturrock on 04/30/09 at 01:30 PM brave girl! well written. taking that huge step to release the blame is the most important! |
| Posted by Maude Curtis on 04/30/09 at 02:40 PM Bravo for you. I know this was a hard write for you. I hope it had the healing power you hoped for. Bless you for you courage. |
| Posted by Elizabeth Jill on 04/30/09 at 03:39 PM Good on you.
Your courage is so so beautiful. And this is exceptionally written and able to be felt by the readers. Healing looks good on you.
|
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 04/30/09 at 03:43 PM No need to apologize for the seemedly simple form. This works very well laying out a progression in your life, and lets me think about each year separately and how you evolved. I especially like how you are already looking ahead (to twenty seven) and to further healing. Kudos. |
| Posted by Jo Halliday on 04/30/09 at 05:51 PM This is as powerful as courageous. Any poetry heals the writer as much as it touches the reader and hopefully impacts him/her for all time to come. Your poem does all that, and it does not need high-flown words to mar it: it's already too good. |
| Posted by Laura Doom on 04/30/09 at 06:15 PM Really, you don't need the author note; no qualifications. The structure & language has its purpose and works effectively. |
| Posted by David Garner on 05/01/09 at 12:18 AM Stunning. And yes, the little words are big enough. They carry enormous weight. Potent. |
| Posted by Tony Whitaker on 05/01/09 at 07:49 AM I don't remember who said it but is a favotite quote of mine your poem immediatley invokes as a testimony of your courage: "He who angers you conquers you". Your poem enlightened me and that is what makes for great poetry, no matter the words used.
|
| Posted by Sandy M. Humphrey on 05/01/09 at 05:50 PM You are brave and courageous and hopeful others will heal with your words as well. smh |
| Posted by Nanette Bellman on 05/01/09 at 10:35 PM Having been a victim of crime myself, I have found that writing it out is hard, but is totally worth it in the end. You can write it down, let people read it or keep it to yourself. But either way, it's out of you and you can move on. Bravo. Lots of love coming your way dear. |
| Posted by Charlie Morgan on 05/14/09 at 06:35 PM ...nickki, chiming in late, but in admiration of the same thing these folks are sayin'... heavy duty escribe! |
| Posted by Charlie Morgan on 05/14/09 at 06:36 PM ...oops. lemme have that c back, you don't use it. |
|
