"Light in the Darkness" by Deedra, 16 | Under the Surface 2019

Under: It is as lonely as it is scary
It is as dark as it is sharp
It is as creepy as it is weary
It is as dreadful as it is scarful
Opened: It is as tempting as it is resenting
It is as dirty as it is musty
It is as trusting as it is nothing
It is as rusty as it is something
You’d be surprised at what I came to
Shining: It is as accompanied as it is together
It is as bright as it is strong
It is as light as it is awake
It is as beautiful as it is valuable
It has brought it to a life with reason
You’d be surprised at what I’ve changed into

About Deedra: I was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I had a very tough childhood that I probably shouldn’t have survived. At seven, I was adopted by a wonderful family. When I was fifteen I went to Fort Lauderdale to visit my biological family by myself because I was struggling to appreciate my wonderful family. A very manipulative liar, I did everything I could to distance myself from my family. Things had to get extremely bad before they got better. I attempted to take my life. I was rushed to the hospital. I ran away, keeping my entire family up all night. It wasn’t until I came to NWP that I finally got the chance to change my life. Of course I didn’t realize that right away. I thought this was just another way to show that no one cared about me and just wanted to send me away. Then I finally opened up to help. I don’t walk around as a victim anymore. I walk around as a survivor.