A gut-wrenching poem by Katrina Miles was published on Facebook in 2014

A gut-wrenching poem by Katrina Miles was published on Facebook in 2014

It is hard to imagine much that is as devastating or as shocking as a mass shooting in which seven members of a family are slain. It is desperately sad and horrifically distressing: an end no human deserves.

Even sadder is that it seems Katrina Miles (Cockman), the 35 year old woman who was killed on Friday morning along with her own mother, father and her four children, was not unfamiliar with horror. Personal terror, it seems, was territory she knew too well.

On the 25th of October in 2014 Katrina’s mother, Cynda Miles, shared a poem authored by Katrina on Facebook, which has been shared by domestic violence campaign group Red Heart,

Heartbreaking and gut-wrenching do not even begin to cover the anguish, fear and shame that is palpable in Katrina’s words.

There is not a time or a scenario in which her desperate and raw words would not be profoundly sobering to read. They tell a tale too many women know too well and they capture the grief and pain of living in fear thoroughly.

The sadness and horror of contemplating this poem words, read just days after the author was killed in her home along with her four children, is unending.

*A previous version of this story included a link to the Facebook page where the poem was first shared. We have removed this link.

Support is available for those who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 13 11 14; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636.

If you or someone you know is impacted by family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au

In an emergency, call 000.

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