A few years ago, a friend approached me with a chilling story. I listened to her in disbelief as she shared every detail of her traumatic experience with the brightest smile on her face. She got uncharacteristically upset when I promised not to share her story with anyone. “Why do you think I am sharing it with you? If I wanted to keep it a secret, I would have kept it a secret. I want you to share it with everyone, the best way you know how to. I want you to write about it,” she said. She then placed a hand on my shoulder as if I was the one who needed comforting, and she giggled, “It will be ok; just don’t name me in your stories.” It was our last conversation. She took her life the following day, on December 27th, 2018. This is the saddest poem I have ever written and the saddest poem I will ever write. The world is an ugly place. May your soul rest easy, friend. . . . #checkonafriend #wissauguste #paintherindarkcolors #rapeawareness #rapevictim #rapesurvivor #rapesurvivorsupport (at New York City, N.Y.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CX_yB6RlGyN/?utm_medium=tumblr
