By Shamu Ward

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While I haven’t been able to forgive the person nor fully move on, this poem acts as a goal of mine: feeling prideful and unashamed about what happened.

the day has come
I am reborn
no more scrubbing
exfoliating
disinfecting
I am brand new
the night has fallen
a new day has come
everything feels different
now
the eternal night has fallen
and a new day has come
to shed its light
to bring about new possibilities
yes, you left stains on my skin
but they are no longer yours
they are mine
and
oh how beautifully they shine
on this brand new day

Process

First, I read the original poem by Erika Hayasaki, a previous mentor. The impact of her writing swayed and influenced me to create something of my own. As someone who was a victim of sexual assault, I immediately resonated with the subject matter and got to work brainstorming new ideas. I knew I wanted to follow Erika’s formatting and structure in hopes of continuing her piece. While I haven’t been able to forgive the person nor fully move on, this poem acts as a goal of mine: feeling prideful and unashamed about what happened.