Today’s post will not only celebrate National Poetry Month but will call attention to Child Abuse Prevention Month. I thank Ruth for her brave poetry and her willingness to share her experiences with others. It is a privelege to feature her on my blog, but at the same time, I must warn my readers: This poem, like my novel, deals with a mature theme.
Meet Ruth Cox: Born and bred unto the pain of poverty and abuse, Ruth Cox often shares the darkest days of her life in her poetry and prose. Her storytelling is inspired by her desire to be a voice for the victims of such demons and hopes that in so doing, the cries of the victims shall be heard. Cox believes “a bit o’ sunshine can always be found peekin’ out o’ the clouds” and has spent a lifetime spreading “nuttin’ but sunshine” with her sun-bespeckled ink.
To get “a bit o’ sunshine” every day, you can find Ruth here: http://ruthcox.gather.com/
Immersion of a Rape Victim
©2009 Ruth Cox
I jerk back the shower curtain
as I force the knob to feed full blast.
Piping hot water pours into the porcelain tub
as I remove the tattered shreds from my torn skin.
I slip into the water…
to scald the remains from my weakened flesh.
You violated my body with your sickening stench.
.
I drain the tub, refill it, slip into it once again…
to flush the raging visions from my head.
You raped my sanity with your vicious vulgarity.
.
I drain the tub, refill it, slip into it once again…
to cleanse the blood dripping from my spirit.
You pierced my heart with your blade.
.
I drain the tub, refill it, slip into it once again…
to defy the repitition of the hellish torture.
You demanded I yield to the blows of your battering ram.
.
I drain the tub, refill it, slip into it once again…
to soak droplets of venom falling from my eyes.
You shot your poison within me.
.
I drain the tub, refill it, slip into it once again…
to avenge the agony of life and limb.
You defiled every cell of my being with your demonic desire.
.
I drain the tub, refill it, slip into it once again…
to drench the darkness into light.
You stole my very soul.
.
Seven baths have not rid me of you…
seven days, seven months, nor seven years shall rid me of you.
Seven decades might rid me of you…
by then I may have died.
Kimberly Blackadar 
Kimberly, I am humbled by the honor you’ve bestowed upon me in featuring my work today.
I have to say, I cringe all over again when reading my words here. This verse came straight from my life; it’s a strange sensation to read it anywhere other than on my own pages.
Thank you for this opportunity to Stand Against Domestic Violence!
Thank you Kimberly!
Blessings & a bit o’ sunshine!
Ruthi
Ruthi,
As soon as you shared this poem with me, I knew I wanted to post it on my blog. I am impressed with your poems and your courage to share it with the world.
Kim
This is a writing that should be read by women of all ages. It is powerful and should serve to prove that the victim did nothing to provoke the tragic event. So many victims feel like it’s their own fault that it happened, or that they are so tainted afterward that they dare not come forth with any accusations.
Thank you for posting this writing and for working to make a difference in the lives of women.
Thank you, Dianna, for taking a moment to share your thoughts here.
Statistically, 1 in 6 women, 1 in 33 men, REPORTED having experienced attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. Of course, we know these figures are not a true reflection.
So if sharing my story can in any way reduce the pain any one of those victims hold within their spirit, then I will not have shared in vain.
Thank you for your comment, Dianna. I hope this poem reaches many women since Ruthi’s words leave an impact on the reader.
I agree, Ruthi, and I think this would be a wonderful writing to have hanging in shelters and clinics all over the world.
Many victims (woman, man, or child) can not read this verse, for fear of re-living the abuse. It is why I added “of a rape victim” to the title; sensitivity to their pain. Honestly, I think this should be required reading for all convicted of rape/sexual abuse… every eve of their life… maybe then they would suffer the consequences of their action, as does their victim.
Oh, this is so sad. Brilliantly written so you feel the pain.
Thank you for your comment, Rebel. And yes, it is sad. It is sad that children, women, and men experience sexual abuse/rape and must carry the scars of the act with them for a lifetime.
I share my experiences in hopes of easing the pain of others in any way possible, letting them know they are not alone in the world. I appreciate Kimberly enabling me to do this here today.
I agree, Bev. This is so well done.
Well, Ruthi, your post is getting lots and lots of hits tonight.
Thank you Ruthi for sharing yourself with very powerful emotional imagery in this poem. I’ll be sure to pass this on to some of my friends that may help others heal with it. So cathartic! Thank you!
Lovesies! Lins
Hello, Lindsey! Thanks for your comment, and I agree with you: This poem needs to be shared! It has such a powerful message.
You’re welcome Lins and I thank you ever so much for your comments, as well as for passing it forward.
O’ my! I just realized, it is your fabulous poetry that Kimberly introduced us to this week! “Alone” really reached unto me, as well as “Sane”
Ruthi, thank you for having the courage to write and post such a powerful poem. Living through an experience such as this sometimes deadens the soul, however, you write about it so that other people can learn and live again. This is truly touching and so very full of emotion.
Yes, Karen, sexual abuse can surely kill a spirit. Victims need to know they do not suffer alone, someone else out there suffers with/for them. And the abusers need to know the depth of their deed.
Beautiful, as usual, Ruthi. What impact! You’ve nailed the feeling, as usual.
Thank you Debra!
Very powerful, Ruthie. You can really feel your pain. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Ann!
I guess I will be the lone guy to post here today, a little bit late, but here none the less. I have a 12 year old daughter, and I can not imagine her going through something as horrible as this. But, if she ever does, I hope that she has the spirit that you do, to press on, live on, and share with others so that they to may someday be healed by words.
Tom, I shall hold on to Hope for you and your daughter that she never have to experience this demon; and I hold on to Faith that if she does, you shall be there to see her through.
Know that your comment here today has touched my spirit in a special way.
Thank you Tom!
Blessings & a bit o’ sunshine!
Ruthi
Tom,
Thank you for your comment. Your daughter is lucky to have a dad like you, and I look forward to featuring her poetry at the end of the month. 🙂
Kim
You treat this problem with heart-felt sensitivity, yet vividly, Ruth. Very well done. My heart goes out to all who have suffered thus.
John, I value and appreciate your comments on my writing, always. Thank you for your tenderness toward the victims of abuse.