Touched: The Journey of a Woman's Life

I have been touched so many times in my life
Felt another person course through my body
Call me a whore if that's what you call it

I remember the way his wrinkled hands felt on my virgin body
Cold, with no remorse for what he was taking from me
Hands running up my quivering thighs
Not from pleasure, but from fear
Hands fondling my flowering breasts
I was too young to comprehend

I remember the uncertainty as I looked into your eyes
I'm ready
You pressed into me
Was this all I had been so curious about?
I was convinced
Why didn't I wait
You looked like a man to me that day
Though now I know you were just a boy trying to become one

I remember the arms of my parents
Wrapped so tightly as I cried
I never told them why
I hated who I was becoming and who this touch had made me

I remember the feel of the hand slapping my face
The cold look in those eyes that I trusted so much
I remember the lies
I stayed and waited for you to change
Until the tears dried up
And I realized
I really didn't love you
I was addicted to the agony of being with you

I remember your touch, my love
Warm hands full of uncertainty
Moving up my body
Warm lips
We made passionate love
The aftershock still makes me quiver with excitement

I remember her touch
The feeling I had when she spoke to me
The warm glow surrounding her that made her stand out
Across a crowded room
We spoke for awhile and as she left
She touched my hand
I felt our spirits meet
Between our joined hands

People have touched me
My soul
My body
And I have become who I am