Bonus Episode: Five Insights from a Survivor’s Path

Poet Kelly Mays shares her poem inspired by her work on the MPHI Community Sexual Violence Prevention (CSVPA) Advisory Committee.

For more information and transcripts visit www.nsvrc.org/podcasts.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome to Resource on the Go, a podcast from the National Sexual Violence
Resource Center, on understanding, responding to and preventing sexual abuse
and assault. I'm honored to present this bonus episode with Kelly Mays.
Kelly is a licensed therapist, poet, community and staff training program
manager with Hegira Health Incorporated, an MPHI Community Sexual Violence

(00:24):
Prevention Advisory Committee member. And here, she shares her poem, "Five
Insights from a Survivor's Path". "Five insights from a survivor's path,

(00:55):
one, when the road ahead stretches out without uncertainty,
I find solace in the knowledge that I must persist, step by step though
the shadows and sunlight. In these moments, my quiet strength guides my
journey, my footfalls resonate with purpose, echoing those who have walked
this path. At this moment, surviving is not what I am doing,

(01:18):
it is who I am. Two, I uncover the arts of transformation,
where pain is alchemized into poetry. I read words that speak not just
of my strength, but of the resilience inherited from my ancestors struggles.
I immortalize the spirit with poetry, infusing their endurance with every

(01:39):
line. At this moment, surviving is not what I am,
it is who I am. Three, hope is my constant companion
threading through my existence like light veins, it is in this journey,
I remain faithful to my authentic self, for authenticity is the foundation
upon which I built connections with others and with myself.

(02:03):
My body becomes more than a dwelling, it is a sanctuary where love
and dreams are born and nurtured into reality.
At this moment, surviving, it's not what I am doing, it is who
I am. Four, I am now the cloud gatherer,
embracing the storm within before me a sky of possibilities once black but

(02:26):
now painted dreams and color. I allow myself to dream and construct dream
scapes for my daughters to find visions of a better world where they
don't know the word, survivor, that that word not exist.
At this moment, surviving is not what I am, it is who I
am. Five, this poem is a rebellion against the status quo,

(02:51):
a movement, a dance that defies the limits imposed upon me,
a seismic shift that dismantle barriers and re defines boundaries.
Adversity is now an invitation to success, not a hurdle to avoid.
This poem is a desire to overcome obstacles, advance and leave my mark
on the sands of time. This poem has lit the fire of progress

(03:16):
within me. At this moment, surviving is not what I am doing,
it is who I am." Thank you a native child for sharing her
art with us and thank you for listening. To hear more of our
spoken word, please check out the links in our show notes.
For more resources and information about preventing sexual assault, visit

(03:38):
our website at nsvrc.org or contact us by emailing [e-mail].