As a bud, not yet burst into bloom,

I feared, the shadow which crept in at night to loom,

The stem by which I was aware, I would cut to deny myself awareness,

Of those things which comprehend all unfairness.

As I blossomed, I was frail much like a Dandelion,

It was a flood of deprivation I could count on.

Yet, I was begging to be watered by my father's love,

The rain would fall to quench my thirst,  in defiance of,

self-worth, self-love, self-confidence and any sign of pride.

The leaves of value and morality,  my stem had been denied.

Nourishment was steadfast withheld as each year passed by.

My blossom long since destroyed and now my stem would die.

My roots rotted in a bog of steady rain,

Only the soil of Self-hatred, unable to cope with such disdain,

was left to attest that any life had purposed itself once in that place!

Until, God wrapped His loving arms around me,  and gave me a new base.

He taught me about true love, that which does not leave you feeling used,

He enriched my life with tenderness and took away the shadow of "abused".

He gave me the tenets of value and morality you find with Jesus Christ!

He instilled in me a dependence in Him, not man to fulfill my very life,

And in doing so, He made me able to love one man, my husband and to finally, be a wife!

I have since then, become a new bud, and blossomed into a strong, vibrant flower,

With the love of God and the love of my husband, my stem no longer has to cower.

My leaves are full, with love, and faith, and the Grace of God upon my past,

No shadows loom, abuse no more, Self-destruction now down-cast.

I am a Child of God, Saved by Grace and approved by Him. I need no more, than this!