Through the Eyes of a Survivor

Today I had a flashback I saw when I was young A vivid blatent image Of what to me was done I couldn't stop it coming It looked and felt so real The taste and smell came with it They truely made me reel When this all came upon me I was in a bad place Where eyes and ears were watching The fear etched on my face The people gave a wide berth They didn't understand They could have made a difference By holding on my hand Instead they chose to leave me And stare with pure mistrust They gathered up their children And my heart was fit to bust I stood and shook with terror As echoes of my past Filled up my mind with visions And people stood aghast They didn't understand me My voice was filled with fear I froze upon the pavement My eyes ablaze with tears I tried my best to ground me To bring me back to now But I fought a losing battle My demons had me now Embarrasment confusion Exhaustion and dispair I felt the lot as I returned To all the people's stare I had to find my bearings And stumble on the street To gather up my courage and walk upon my feet I staggered to a bench And sat there for a while Until my heart felt sound enough To walk another mile. Jane Shields (C)