Being Triggered

There are many types of abuse, and many types of victims. Some have been totally shattered by what they went through, but there are so many others who carry their pain on the inside, and the world knows little about it

In the dreadful place of greyness

Some far dungeon of the soul

Where we lock away the memories

Never spoken, never whole.

In that place the body carries

Terrors which it cannot name

And we feel ourselves grow tighter

With old helplessness and shame.

Shadows on the mind’s projection

Out of focus, oddly clear,

The deep waters of rejection

Where our monsters reappear.

Where the flesh, made taut, remembers

Every pain the mind can’t hold.

Carries, like a cup of acid,

Wounds untended, fear controlled.

Never speaking, never showing

Primal dread that roils inside:

Half ignored, half overwhelming,

But we tamp it down with pride.

We are legion, walking wounded,

Sisters, brothers, lovers, friends,

Pilgrims to the heart of mercy,

The grace-place where torment ends.