|
I see a child stuck in a swamp of messages
that scream her worthlessness
insults and devastating words ooze over her
and cover her like mud
suffocating, she struggles for each strangled breath
desperately she wants to prove her worth
and gain any sign of approval
I am good—I am obedient—I deserve your love
her soul cries
I hear her muffled cries and reach out to her
she grabs my hand—I pull her out
we stand there looking back
a final curse is thrown at us
we hear the words—unforgiving, ungrateful
we are daring to flee those who believe the swamp should exist
hearing their accusations and reproaches, my spirit says
take this child forever from this place
where her voice is stifled and her cries are drowned
we turn toward the sun and walk on firm ground into the light
and I know exactly why some people lose their sanity
they cannot escape from the mire of guilt and blame
I have saved this tortured child
I carry her in my arms
I reveal the truth to her
to the swamp we shall never return
© Barbara Rogers
back to table of contents
Screams from Childhood |
