Where This Story Applies

By Amber Renee Hartley

It wasn't fair

And it wasn't right

I kept saying no

I put up a fight

I didn't think it could happen

To someone like me

But, it only took a second

To make me see differently

I didn't ask for this

And I just need you to believe

To hear the true story

Of how my baby was conceived

You've probably heard gossip

And the rumors that were passed around

But, you didn't hear my screams

Or see how I was found

Battered and beaten

Broken and hurt

All because I thought I liked him

Because I was a flirt

You all say painful words

And plenty of nasty things

Because of my sweet Sarah

Because I was pregnant at sixteen

I walked down the hallways

Of my small town's high school

And all I got was stares,

Whispers, insults and ridicule

My parents were ashamed

As my stomach grew

Everyone kept blaming me

For what I went through

But, this wasn't my fault

And Sarah is not a mistake

She is my beautiful daughter

And I wish you listen… for her sake

She is the love of my life

I wouldn't trade her for anything

But, I want you to understand

What your hurtful words can do to a being

And what I went through

What I continue to feel

About how some people are pure evil

And think it's funny to steal

To take away innocence

And tear someone apart

To force themselves upon someone

To rip up someone's heart

A rapist is someone malevolent

But, gossips can be sometimes worse

Maybe you think I deserved this

But no one deserves that kind of curse

No one deserves to be violated

No one deserves to feel so low

So just keep remembering

That no will forever mean no

That rumors are not always true

That stories are sometimes lies

Because there are too many people

Where this story applies