Trigger warning!
I
After trauma, borderlines grow sharp
Like blood in the waters to a hungry sharkWhat was once fields of exploration
Now minefields of trigger detonationsIn the beginning was boldness and lust for life
Today’s there’s fear driven meekness,
drawing another breath a daily strifeII
After abuse the heart grow brittle hard
Like shattered porcelain glued together shard by shardWhat once held a child’s ability to love and trust
Now a lonely desert of full of crushed dream dustOnce there were hope and the seed of true self-compassion and love
©RedCat
Today there’s a sad lost soul floundering about like a wing clipped dove.
The world according to RedCat 
So nice to have you at the bar… and this poem is so dark… the brittleness of a heart after abuse makes me think of the metaphor of a blacksmith with a hammer and anvil.
This is incredibly dark and filled with heartfelt imagery. It was so nice to have you with us at the Live event :)
Thank you! I believe in letting the darkness show itself when needed. It was very nice to participate and feel welcomed. 💜 Depression have the sneaky habit of getting you to believe otherwise.
Searing write in the energies you summon up here. Very different from anything else I’ve read tonight. I bet you are a great dancer!! Only been to Stockholm the once, but loved it… Who knows might just stumble into one of those clubs one night looking for a crazy redhead with a magic pen! Thanks for the read…
I tend to process by writing, so that can get both dark and fiery. I’m learning to pour emotions into my dance, that makes a huge difference. When things get better, you’ll be sure to find me, pen and notebook in my bag, dancing the night away. ☺️
“crushed dream dust” – Wow.
“drawing another breath a daily strife’ – As well.
These lines deliver the weight of this darkness.
A great sense of dejection fills the page, line by line — may you have healing and peace in your heart. ~Jason
Red Cat, it was very nice to hear you talking at the live event today and reading your poem. My sound was cutting out so now I see all of what you wrote. You have captured so much of the depth of how atrauma destroys a young life and twists their world view.
“crushed dream dust” — that is so sad and intense. Good write, though! It’s also cool to see your handwriting.
Thank you for reading this deeply touching poem at the live Open Link Night. I agree with Ken and Jenna about ‘crushed dream dust’, it sucker-punched me too!
As an abuse survivor, every word resonated in the core of my being. Very powerful, raw and intense. 🙏
Powerful, touching poem. I enjoyed your reading. I agree with others that “crushed dream dust” is a wonderful phrase– so intense and evocative.