The Finding Our Voices profile (L) picture is of the Survivor Handprint Quilt. This quilt is a collection of more than 250 handprint squares created by Sexual Assault Survivors at "Healing Images Artfests" held in Colorado Springs from 1994-1996. The quilt will be featured at the 2010 Finding Our Voices Art Show & Sale during April, National Sexual Assault Awareness Month
The close-up image (R) is of a block about TRUST. What is TRUST?
This poem, titled "Trust" by Lori R. Lopez offers a poignant interpretation:
Like cupping a fragile frightened creature
In the shelter of your palm
Trust should be treated with such care
Its heartbeat guarded from every qualm.
It is not a right and cannot be seized
It bears no gleam and cannot be stored
It is something free, which must be earned
Availed in friendship, through accord.
A tiny flame protected from wind
That must be kindled, safely fanned
That can warm you with its steady blaze
Or be smothered by scattered sand.
The lack of trust resembles climbing
A mountain clinging to a thread
Without it there's no chance of peace
No stable ground on which to tread.
Mere words can plunge to heart as deep
As the point of any blade
The edge of what is spoken
May cut sharper than the page.
Faith will die without respect
If harshly handled or deceived
As Life itself must be preserved
Trust fails when disbelieved.
It is the core of any family
The root of every nation
The navigation of a flock
A religion's strong foundation.
Trust lies in justice
And requires staunch defense
Like truth, it must flow both ways
Or be smithered by pretense.
Through wicked deeds and careless acts
Once given, loyalty can be lost
Some fences shorn cannot be mended
There comes a point that cannot be crossed.
Betrayal rarely is provoked
Its dagger blindly thrust
Forsaking kinship, breaking promises —
Be ever cautious with your trust.
(see other writing by Lori R. Lopez)
Enter your art for the Colorado Springs, CO April 2010 event by March 26, 2010 Finding Our Voices
Post prepared by Lynn C. Tolson, author of Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor's Story
I stumbled and fell right into this poem and landed in a place of truth.
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