When I was teaching, there was a skinny little girl who was clearly in trouble. In the midst of winter she would arrive, freezing with no jumper or anything warm. I gave her a jumper and track pants from lost and found. She returned them at the end of the day. I realised later, it was so she would not be beaten for some perceived slight on the part of her parents. So each morning, I would give her the items, and each afternoon she would return them. I was advised by senior staff not to "get involved" The parents were known to authorities. But I did feel some heartbroken joy in watching her eat the things I would put in the pockets.
I was a kindergarten teacher.
Untitled....
Of her heart she knew little
All around were so big
Each one she looked up to
Never did they think
Busy with their lives
They scolded and hit
She whimpered and cried
Never questioning it.
The bruises healed
Broken bones too
New battles erupted
It would be payback soon
Little girl grew
Learned the lay of the land
It’s open your mouth
Find the back of the hand
Taller now
But none the wiser
Was everyone alien?
Why did they despise her?
School was uncomfortable
Did they all know?
Could they see the scars?
Did the lost tooth show?
And what of the parents
Did they beat too?
Other children hugged theirs
What a strange thing to do.
Older and onward
It was becoming clear
The ones who should love
Are instilling the fear
There was a time
Of innocent tears
Of childhood longing
For something..
Unnamed, unknown, not near
The war continued
Trust was hard earned
No one got near her
Love was spurned
Yet on the darkest of nights
It would rear its head
She wanted more
But it filled her with dread
She had escaped the prison
To build her own cage
Thinking back
Only filled her with rage
She sat in her cage
And watched those around
None could be trusted
She held her ground
But the longing inside her
Ate like a rat
It gnawed and twisted
But still she sat
Love was unknown
How was it done?
Dropping defences
She needed to run
Fighting a war
A battle of one
In the streets of suburbia
It’s life for some
Dropping the weapons
After earning her stripes
Was the hardest lesson
Of her hard life
Finger on the trigger
She watched the man
How he seemed like an angel
In a forsaken land
He did not hurt her
Said he would not
But she cautiously waited
Holding her shot
The dance went on
Give and take of ground
Like a tiger and prey
But which way around?
Truth will out
It’s said and told
The warmth of love burns
When life has been cold
The cage door was open
But could she not fight?
From the dim former life
The new world stung bright
Cautious and edgy
She took her first step
He held out his hand
But she stood and she wept
His hand on her shoulder
Made her flinch with shame
She covered her face
As he uttered her name
Then his arms were around her
Holding her tight
She slowly breathed out
It was the end of her plight
Love was unknown
Kindness was rare
She looked behind her
With a vacant stare
Her swollen eyes observed him
His compassionate face
Taking his hand
She walked forward with grace.
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