She sits in the dark,
Afraid to see the light,
Afraid that the scars she bears
Are more than she can stand to see.

Not scars one can see in a mirror,
These scars are etched deep within
Some are gaping wounds, still bleeding
There are many scars and she fears them

She fears the pain,
She fears the sting,
She fears the healing,
For healing means more pain
And she isn't sure she can handle more pain

The door cracks open, just a bit
A small ray of light enters
She shields her eyes, for the dark has been long,
She sees a shadow and shrinks back,
Afraid, unsure, untrusting.

Through the ever opening door,
A hand reaches out, offering it to her,
She sits and stares at it, for a long time,
Afraid it could strike,
Afraid it might pull away.

The hand holds steady
Never waivering, never pulling back
It waits patiently, and long,
But never striking out, never hurting.
The hand is strong, but gentle.

She timidly touches the hand,
With little jerks to and fro,
Filled with fear but curious
Curious about why it was so patient,
Why it didn't strike, why it didn't run.

She slowly allows herself to take the hand into her own
Touching it gently, timidly, her fear easing.
The hand is calm, the hand is gentle,
She allows the hand to gently hold hers
It is calming, easing her fears.

There is no face
There is no body,
Just this warm, kind, loving hand
On outstretched arm.

It is the hand of God,
Her never waivering friend,
Her protector, her guide,
She then knows that this hand
Will always hold her up into the light
Bringing her comfort, in time of need,
Never forcing his hand upon her,
But waiting patiently for her to
Reach out and take this hand
To receive all the Love He has to give.

© Michelle Byrd
26 April, 1998

A Message from Michelle:~ "This poem was written about myself and what I went through during my healing after being a victim of physical, sexual and emotional abuse for over 20 years. I am now a survivor and a victim NO MORE!! I want others to know that coming out of darkness is possible and that although life may seem bleak and hopeless, there is always a "Hand" there to guide us into the light of life." ~ Michelle

You can visit Michelle's beautiful site at Michelle & Friends