A poem on the rape of Tamar

Hi everyone, I am sharing on my blog a poem which was written by a Christian called Azure. I thought that It was such a striking poem. I like to write poetry myself at times, but I did not write this. Tamar was raped by her half brother Ammon and this poem tries to reflect on how Tamar may have felt after this event. To me this poem speaks true as even though somebody can forgive someone, sometimes the abuse and memories can be left on somebody's body in their nerves and on their skin if abuse has been severe or long-term which can take longer to recover from.

The horror of rape faced by Tamar is experienced worldwide on a daily basis. Rape is used to control, punish, humiliate and is a weapon of war. The effects are long lasting. Influencing every relationship the victim has from then on. They are commonly made more painful by the fact that many are ready to blame them rather than see her as a victim.

Society offers help but the ultimate hope lies in the love and acceptance offered by God. He alone understands. He alone can provide the comfort that soothes the deepest hurt. His presence he offers re-creation in Christ. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come! Easy? No not ever, but, by faith, a true reality for those who will take God at his Word.

This poem is based on (2 Samuel 13).

Tamar

Muffled whispers peal,
though they think I do not hear.
Yet none dare speak up,
far less do I.
Oh, that I might wish to die.

The day is spent.
I wait,
for time to turn back its hand,
though I know it will not.
Might I have saved my life?
Oh, that he would remember me.

The colourless horizon stretches,
like the coming days,
I will surely know.
Still it rains; still the skies are grey,
as I wish I were,
that he had never
looked upon me.

Wool mockingly adorns,
clinging where love
now never will.
My skin remembers,
though my heart tries not.
Fine linen, colour, hope.
Torn and discarded,
even as I am.

Even my body knows,
this does not belong to me.
I scratch at my wrists,
where linen once brushed its lips.
Where I was held,
gripped,
tight.

Moody clouds brood,
in this darkened sconce.
He skulks — eyes black,vacant.
He comes and goes,
though I stay.
Always, I stay.

He shouts into the bleak,
with fitful sleep.
And daybreak persists,
of which I choose no part.
Rays bleed into darkness
As silence
continues,
with her testimony.
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Footnote - Poem is based on the defilement of Tamar by her half brother and the aftermath for HER which is not depicted in Scripture. It is based on a Biblical narrative of one of King David’s daughters, who disappeared from Scripture after the incident took place.

Autumn Miles gave an account in a testimony of receving help by the Holy Spirit to escape abuse.