23*YOU TOLD ME*
You told me to be kind
and that's what I tried to do.
So when I saw him stranded on the road
I thought immediately of you.
I figured you would be proud
that I was helping this man out.
I never even anticipated
what his intentions were truly about.
I didn't want his to get in the car
I wanted to speed away.
But I reluctantly let him in
when I recalled what you had to say.
You told me to be safe
and wait until I was prepared.
But he made up my mind for me
Mommy, I was so scared.
He ripped off my clothes
never gave me a chance to run.
I wouldn't have anyhow
I was too afraid of the gun.
He took from me what I never offered
assuming I wouldn't care.
Took the one thing I wanted to keep
and left me stranded there.
Stole my innocence, my youth, my beauty
stole my friendly smile and me gentle touch.
Stole my purpose for living this life
all the things I loved so much.
You told me it would be okay
that the pain would slowly fade.
But hard and hard as I kept trying
I couldn't stop reliving that fateful day.
I turned my life around
in the direction it needed to be.
But I could never forget this man
and what he did to me.
So in order to escape the pain
and truly be free at last.
I have thought of a final way
to fully escape my past.
It's not like I actually want to go
and I'm not very good at good-byes.
But I'm going on to a better place
where the pain will ease and the joy will rise.
I want to be buried under the maple tree
right next to where Poppa lays.
So the autumn leaves can fall on top
to remind you of better days.
And I want written on my gravestone
right above my head.
So my final words will be remembered
each time it's read.
"Just when you think the world has turned good
and there's nothing by which you can be hurt.
Take a cautious step back from life
to think of my daughter and what happened to her.
A life is a life and handle with care
because some things are too precious to lose.
Just remember to always speak your mind
and to your heart be true."