Battle Cries and Rose Petal Lies

<p>The news used to erupt at every mention of sexual assault. Now? It&rsquo;s background noise, a dull ache in a world choked with violence against women. I stand in that wreckage, a twice-broken survivor in a country where rape is a national anthem.</p> <p>They ask why I&rsquo;m single, these clueless fools who can&rsquo;t see the barbed wire fences I&rsquo;ve built around my heart. My past is a warzone, a mosaic of escapes and near misses, of fear carved into my bones. But I&rsquo;m older now, scarred and sharp-tongued. My bite is a viper&rsquo;s, and I won&rsquo;t be silenced by their &ldquo;don&rsquo;t be a victim&rdquo; bullshit. I am a victim, yes, and I own the storm of my healing, every ugly, beautiful step. This is not my burden to bear alone, and I refuse to apologize for my rage, my tears, and my messy path back to myself.</p> <p><a href="https://medium.com/@katherineemsley1/battle-cries-and-rose-petal-lies-3a80446f900d"><strong>Click Here</strong></a></p>
Tags: Petal Lies