POEMS 6
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As a child and teenager I remember so well holding on to "I" I knew if I did not There would be two -- "We" And "I" would be lost. I struggled to hold on to "I" At times it felt too much It would be easier to let go To let it happen, to become "We" And "I" would be lost. So I held on to the pain and sorrow "I" found the strength to endure For one more day, hour, minute, second If I did not hold on Then "I" would be lost. But I could not let go For "I" would be lost.
I am my father's daughter And I am my own creation. Through the pain he inflicted I found strength to endure. Through the anger and fear I found courage to confront. Through indifference and neglect I found inner strength and self-reliance. Through his constant criticism I found the desire to learn and rise above. Through threats of death and hate I found the ability to survive and thrive. I am my father's daughter And I am my own creation.
Somewhere a little child cries For love But no one heard her. Somewhere a little child screams For help But no one heard her Somewhere a little child reaches For touch But no one holds her Somewhere a young teen bleeds For Life But no one sees her Somewhere a young teen asks For guidance But no one answers her Somewhere a young woman starves For nourishment But no one feeds her Somewhere a young woman runs From pain But no one shelters her Somewhere a woman cries For love Her cries were answered Somewhere a woman craves For healing A new journey begins . . .
I stand at the door of my bedroom My heart pounding in my head The lights -- all on I bend down and take a look. He might be there, under the bed Waiting for a chance to reach up And grab my body And drag me under there. I dare not place my foot Upon the floor at all He cannot have the chance To hurt me anymore. I climb up on the dresser And over to the chair And gently lay my body In the middle of my bed. My hands and feet immobile Dare not put them near the edge Don't tempt him with a little toe Stay still or else he'll know. Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my soul to keep The monsters away So I can sleep.
