i will cleanse my body
of unwanted fingerprints
in a scalding shower.
skin will split, melt, peel
and water will run
with the red, red, red
of my blood until i
am tissue and bone.
and a blanket of flesh
will hold me until i awake
and become somebody
you never touched.
Bina Perino is a student at the University of North Texas. She plans on teaching high school English after completing her Bachelor’s. She is a survivor of sexual assault.
Every artwork, poem, and story created here helps illuminate paths for others. Our blog shares these beacons of hope and raw honesty, honoring each unique voice and experience in the journey toward healing.
In this piece by Laura Bristow, we view a fishing trip as an allegory for an experience with sexual violence. With deft language, clever metaphor,
“Shadows of Darkness” highlights the un-realities of experiencing an assault, especially when the violence comes from a close relation. With eyes closed, Charity Marie’s escape
“Let Me Tell You About Hazel” holds a meta-narrative, a story inside a story — we meet J. Askew and we also meet Hazel, their
Find your place in our circle of creators, where every artistic choice is valid and every emotion is welcome. Healing isn’t linear, nor a path you have to walk alone.