Victim or Survivor

by: Julie Anne Cruickshank

The pain of looking back
The pain of looking forward

Out of the darkness the evil glows
I cannot ignore its existence
It waits for me to slip and fall

Victim or Survivor
Survivor or Victim
The lines blur between the two

Every time I feel the past pull me into fear and submission
It takes all my strength to open my eyes and face the demon
I tell myself, “Today, today, and only today.”

Stay with me today.
Don’t look back
Don’t look forward
Look into my eyes and remind me it is today

I cannot change the past
No matter how much I wistfully contemplate
Tomorrow may hold promise
Yet anxiety and clouds surround the tomorrows of my mind

Victim or Survivor
Survivor or Victim
Today and every day I make the choice