Vanessa Gillespie's poem, “Acrylic Bruises,” touched my heart. I am from an abusive background, and knowing that there are people who see the victims' pain is a ­relief to me.

Vanessa's lyrical sentences and poetic ­images create a cry for help that is rarely heard. The raw emotions that run throughout this poem – “The artist anxious to create his next masterpiece” – reach out to everyone and every perspective.

I know the pain of the victim, and the ­reaction of the author reaches even the deepest corners of the human soul. This ­poem really spoke to me, and, as a fellow poet, I give Vanessa my highest regard and complete lyrical respect.