Reese Hanson ’25
This is one of three poems that were inspired by a chapter in the novel Valentine. In that novel, the main character works to reclaim her sense of self after surviving a violent assault. Her mother was deported back to Mexico, and she has only her uncle, a Vietnam war veteran, who is trying his best to support her and help her heal.
Stripped of a mother and her years
Bright red scars on her feet from running out there
Exposed to the shark’s teeth
This isn’t your life
Horror has brought her here
Grabs her ankles and legs and neck
She fought, she fought, she fought
You survived this
This is a war story
Its fingers still wrapped around Glory
Stupidest girl in the world
She is getting past this
She don’t want to start over
Glory’s life is a stopped tape
It has been stolen from her
This is not my story
She is a refugee
Holding out her hands
Save me, pardon me
Glory is broken, blue, and scarred
This story is yours.