Poetry by Joyce Alcantara

to all young people struggling to feel something other than emptiness or pain.

To my mother Pauline. She means the world to me. She is my rock that I lean on.

This poem is dedicated to all of the young girls who are crying out for help. Maybe someone doesn't believe you now. But keep trying to speak up & get help. Don't end up like the young lady in this poem. a similar thing happened to me. At first nobody believed me but I kept trying to reach out & get help. Eventually a very special person who I explained my story to, helped me before it was too late. The man who hurt me is now behind bars where he should be & he can never hurt another girl for the rest of his life. so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't give up hope. reach out & get help. no girl deserves to go through what I went through...