Life can be beautiful after a rape

Life Can Be Beautiful After a Rape "I am the voice of your soul," Whispered a quiet strength from within. "You are pure, you are whole, your heart still beats true. I know the darkness feels endless, And the world seems unbearably cruel, But from the ashes of this moment, You can rise toward a life worth living. Trust yourself. Because life can be beautiful after a rape." I know you hate your reflection. Your spirit feels crushed, And time seems like an enemy— Moving too slow, yet too fast. Perhaps you've thought of an end, A heaven far removed from this pain. But pause. Breathe. Remember, the fire inside you still burns, And you still have what it takes to live freely, To live fully, Because life can be beautiful after a rape. You are not the first to face this storm, Nor will you be the last. The past is scarred, And the future holds more shadows, But your strength can break this darkness. You don't have to bury yourself In the shroud of disdain, Self-loathing, Or mistrust. You can rebuild. You can find light again. You can create something beautiful, Even after a rape. — Saadia Syed