"Untitled"--a poem for victims of sexual trafficking and abuse

One of my students Adeola Oyelabi has written and performed this poem "Untitled"--depicting the pain and hope of victims of sexual trafficking and abuse. After saying the poem, she discusses further its meaning. The lyrics appear below.

Ready or not , because here it comes
Who can hide from the horror inside
That threatens to kill
Me, it threatens to drown
My body and soul, from the inside out


These stains that I wear
Can’t be washed off.
These wounds that I carry
The best doctor can’t fix.

Cuz I’ve been injected with an infection that shows, an infection that grows
In this cavern of mine, this fragile mind
Is overwhelmed with the notion that I matter to no one
My only value stems from sexual tricks
Weighed down by the memories each day casually inflicts.
But underneath it all, I’m just a scared little girl

Who wonders if the true meaning of “gifts”
Can ever apply to me.
For so long I’ve been told:
Nothing
Worthless

Damaged
Bruised and broken, one thing I can do:
Cry out to the heavens.
I let loose my anger, my fear, and my pain.

Yearning to be set free.
Little do I know, it’s God that catches me.
Spinning out of control,
He offers the stability I never knew
While I’m unable to forget,

He helps me to forgive.
Forgive the person I thought I was
Heal what I thought would be open forever.
Carefully wiping away my tears,
He offers a comfort I never thought I would find.

Looking at me, He sees more than my past
More than the chains that are keeping me bound.
Breaking them, He envelopes me in His perfect love
Making me new.
I am loved.

Valued.
Cherished.
Wanted.
I am His.