I beat my heart with a heavy rock;
it lies here at my feet.
He ripped it from my chest to try
to salve his damaged soul.
I beat my heart with a heavy rock
to teach myself to breathe
through all the painful blows of rape
that beat my young girl’s soul.
I beat my heart with a heavy rock
to keep myself from grief
that stretches out the childish hope
within my foolish soul.
I beat my heart with a heavy rock
to try to set me free
from pain and death and rotting flesh
around my bloodied soul.
I beat my heart with a heavy rock;
you hang there on that tree
with tearful eyes that threaten to
revive my half-dead soul.
I beat my heart with a heavy rock;
I will not let you see
the battered, weak and wounded child
within my starving soul.
I beat my heart with a heavy rock;
I cannot tell you why.
I started once when I was young,
and now I cannot cry.
by Julie Brunson | 
