Nobody knows the mask
that I wear
it looks like confidence
but smells like fear
if I could seem perfect
than no one would know
what really happened
all those nights long ago
A little girl
with her innocence
forever betrayed
with nowhere to go
she was silent and stayed
in time the pain was too much to bear
so she cried out for help
to the closest one there
Her voice might as well
have been silent cries
for this one meant to trust
said, "They're dreams,
they're lies"
That was the day trust died inside
and up went the walls
forever to hide
shame was her shadow
it now clings to her skin
a prisoner
of another man's sin.
Thank you Realistic Poetry for your heartfelt encouraging response. It's my hope that the poem will help others somehow, somewhere. I have a lot poetry written about my painful experiences over the years, it helps me process my pain. If my words help another, all the better. I will try to share more of my work here, as my busy work schedule permits. Thank you so much for this platform which allows us to have a voice.
Lisa, thank you so much for sharing such an intimate and personal poem with us, it brings tears to our eyes as we read your true and genuine emotions about one of the most painful things to imagine any child going through. Your words will most certainly touch someone, somewhere.
Lisa your pain comes through so subtly
yet as piercing as a lightning strike.
That betrayal is a cross no one should ever carry. I feel angry and helpless.
Praying for your peace
Thank you Lee for validating my pain. This poem was published last year in the book Removing Chains of Child Abuse. I was honored, and hope that it helps others know that they are not alone.
Tragic.