I’ve been chanted down
Abandoned with young children
Left to struggle every day of my life
I stand firm!

I’ve been hurt
I’ve been deceived
I’ve been manipulated
Oh poor me!
I stand firm!

With confidence
And not self-pity.
I stand firm!

That even though people have tried
To beat me with intent
In misleading me into thinking
That they were my friends
I stand firm.

I can look into the mirror
Nearly two decades later
Knowing that I’ve survived the horror
The beatings, the abuse of one form or another
I am a Survivor, an African Woman Survivor
Made strong by the will of the Father.

I would be lying if I said,
“I did it all by myself”
For if it wasn’t for the Creator
I would not be here today
To say I stand firm in my Faith.