Signs I've seen before,
All warning of the abuse
That was to follow.
I did not heed,
And neither did the adults.

Drawings of little angels,
Gorgeous little girls,
Whom horrendous things happen to!
Deny it's me?
It's easier to pretend,
Join me in my make believe.

I'm fascinated with the erotic,
Draw girls with voluptuous figures.
As it's all I see,
All that matters,
To those around me,
Who use and abuse.

The games I play with my dollies,
All women are weak!
As my boy dolls overpower my girlfriends,
This is life.
Though I wanna believe in fairy tales,
Darkness overrides.

Now I'm an adult,
I look at the obvious signs,
I keep questioning why?
Didn't anyone rescue me?
Was I worth so little?
Do I matter today?

If I suspect a battering,
I'm there to offer escape.
I console and am supportive,
So in touch with their pain,
Relating through my life.
Where was the adult like me?
When I was but a defenceless child.

All who can hear me now,
Who read this piece,
I plead with you, to do something!
When you recognise the signs,
Don't deny it, fight it!

For how would you feel,
If in years to come,
Another child writes a poem, like me.
Who's pain you could have prevented,
Where's the consolation prize?
For doing nothing!
I'd like to award you,
Whoever left me to bleed?

© Elizabeth
5th April 2001

"This poem was written by a friend of mine, Elizabeth, about the signs of abuse that were ignored in her childhood. This could be about any child - it could be a relative or a friend and she is pleading to all NOT let this happen to another child. If you suspect abuse, please report it - it is better to be wrong than to ignore the signs."

You can visit Elizabeth at her website
Eyes of my Soul
and share your comments with her!