Cate Holzli ‘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.
Begin
Glory rolled her eyes
Between her ears and the world
Call me anything
Nobody.
Help.
He was right.
Start packing, Glory.
Scars.
This isn’t your life.
Ungrateful.
Dream, Spark of pleasure—horror.
Quiet.
Still.
Grow up.
You’re gonna be okay.
Smooth steel,
Leather handle,
Pocketknife.
Alive,
Pulling,
Pushing,
Back into the dark.
Wait.
She fought.
You survived this.
This is a war story.
Together.
Loneliness
Stolen from herself.
That evil belongs to him.
She can stay afloat.
I’m sorry,
Poor little thing.
Voices, Stories,
Maybe this is yours.
End.