I survived her screams under his fists, helping her out by blocking his wrists. I survived their fights at night by turning my own darkness into light. I survived his cold hands touching my skin reviving all my fears from within. I survived his angry steps filling the void of the stairs, confused about being hurt by someone who supposedly cares. I survived their lies and neglected my root and now I'm learning to survive my truth. I survived their 'no' and 'don't' and now I'm learning to listen to what I want. I survived her loss and learned to let go making some room for 'yes' in the always-present 'no' And now I'm learning to go with the flow, stop the hustle, take it slow. I survived a tired heart and lived to tell the story through art. I survived the sharp blade of a knife cutting me into a second life. And now I live with joy, with will I love to run and then stand still, to breath and sing and look around and dance to the sound of life.