....AND I DANCE

… AND I DANCE

As a child,

I danced, I laughed, I loved,

A darkness came

A choice was given---- and taken,

By someone who said they loved me

Paralyzed by fear and shame

My young heart ached,

 If only I could destroy the darkness…

If only I could rip down and tear apart,

 the shame and rage,

 That holds my heart in so tight a grip,

My every breath and love --is measured

‘Dear God,’ I cried...

‘Forgive--my child’

A choice is given---and taken

I lift my heart to the mercy of God,

I forgive

Ever so gently..so sweetly

I am enfolded in the arms and heart of God

 And in the light of His love

The shame and  fear is damned

The darkness falls and dies forever

Once again,

I love, I sing with Joy

…and I dance

--Dianne Annie Ness

I wrote the poem to share my journey from the fear and sadness of  sexual abuse to the great love and redemption of God through the joy of forgiveness. Please do not be sad for me--rejoice with me that the God of love can redeem our hearts and lives and make us whole when we have been hurt. God has given me more through this journey of forgiveness than was ever taken from me.

 I want to send a message of hope to those who have been hurt—there is healing and wholeness.

( The man who hurt me is deceased—he was a trusted adult who frequented our home. I will not drag his name into this as he cannot hurt anyone else, I also do not want to bring shame to his name or family and with God’s love and grace I have forgiven him.  Please feel free to share--as it may encourage someone else).