[Haunted]

Sometimes I think that we, as humans, don't realize how fragile we are emotionally, especially younger people. Kids go to school and get picked on so badly that they can't take it. They either go back to school armed to the teeth or they take their own lives. Kids live in a very abusive (sexually, physically, or emotionally, perhaps all of the above). They either grow up and perpetuate the cycle of abuse, or they take their own lives. (I do realize that some kids are rescued from these terrible plights, but the number who don't is quite staggering).

I'm sure many folks here have felt the hot spit of disrespect and cruelty by the mouths and hands of our peers, parents, and sadly, so called friends. It hurts like hell, but you've got to remember one thing: Do not let people take your power. I learned that lesson the hard way a few years ago.

Allow me to quote Ani Difranco. These two different songs indicate different things. In the song Superhero, she lets someone take her power. Conversely, Outta Me on to You, she's taken her power back

"If I was naked and screaming on your front lawn, would you turn on the light and turn on the light and come down? Screaming, There's the asshole who did this to me. Stripped me of my power. Stripped me down." -Superhero... loss of power

This is my favorite, though, because it describes me at this point in my life (the queen of swords)

"Some people wear their heart on their sleeve. I wear mine underneath my right pant leg, strapped on my boot." -Outta Me, On to You. describes power (It also reminds me of Bloodrayne
;) )