i saw you
and i did not run
i was still
i stood my ground
even as my soul
crushed itself into pieces
even as my heart
bled out in my chest
i stared and stayed
and did not waver
not once
-
i saw you
and i did not hide
i gave myself to you
look into my eyes
if you can
i dare you to cross me
i will not conceal my fear
and that will make you afraid
i will hand you my fragile fate
and make myself bare
i will give you my fire
and dare you to stomp it out
for you will not
and you will never
-
i saw you
and i did not forget
i did not need your face
or your eyes in front of me
to make me remember
all the things you did
all the things i survived
and a rage boiled in me
deep and hot and violent
a rage i kept at bay
for myself
and myself alone
a pursuit of my strength
-
i saw you
and i did not fold
i remembered the person
that you knew
and their heart resounded
deep within my own again
like a jolt, a stir of my past self
like the pulse of a headache
like the last twitch of life before death
and i embraced it all
-
i saw you
and i did not crumple
i was silent and still
cold as winter
dark as night
strong as achilles
proud as faustus
i did not fall or falter
i did not die
i am alive
even though you hate me
even though you hurt me
i survived
and was born anew
i am now god
i am now impenetrable
standing before you
and the old me
weeps tears of joy
for her Lord
About the Creator
angela hepworth
Hello! I’m Angela and I love writing fiction—sometimes poetry if I’m feeling frisky. I delve into the dark, the sad, the silly, the sexy, and the stupid. Come check me out!
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insight
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Comments (10)
The power and strength in this poem resonates like the thunder above the storm. Really, really impressive for someone who only writes poetry when you’re feelin’ frisky. I’m totally wowed! Congrats on hitting the leader board. Richly deserved!
Lots of love for your poem having a great strength in words
Your third stanza is so emotional.
Incredible! Love your poem!! 💌
such strength and resolve!!!
Gosh that was so freaking powerful! You go girl! Loved your poem so much!
Much loved!!!
This was awesome! I loved it!
Wow. This was so good Angela.
I felt such a range of emotions reading this! And I loved the strength in those last lines.