Right now!

Chloe Clark, a student at the Lethbridge Community College in Alberta, wrote this poem following in-class lecture and discussion on post traumatic stress and self-mutilation.

Right now!
pick it up!
cold, sharp steel
tears through flesh
through time
through

clamped hand around your throat
hyena in your ear
shrewd barb that splits your legs.

Seize the day!
this moment
these emotions.

Anxiety. Anger. Punishment.

punish him
the man who bashed your gates

who crushed your mind
who crushed your body
who crushed your spirit
then, punish yourself

(for allowing it to happen)

purge yourself with crimson
release
it
in
r
i
v
u
l
e
t
s

smash

your fear

He used you, ... but he doesn't own you.
define

your hate

Ask yourself, who is it you hate more? You, ... or him?

detach

yourself.

Let go
of the man
who's held you
for
so long.