Pater Noster
You poisoned my brain with your rage-filled words
your hands struck me with your greatest strength
you ceased to live and I was born
the venom your mouth spewed at me
the mayhem your hands inflicted upon me
drove me to the top, past your hatred and despair
you defined yourself through me
sought to thrive by throttling my spirit
because I was more worthy of life than you will ever be
I survived you because I let you go
purged my anger and reached indifference
you are nothing, nothing, nothing without me
But I will always be my greatest achievement
the fiercest battle, the most glorious victory of my life.
©’07 Anja Hartleb-Parson
