by Cheryl W.
Member since:
December 10, 2005

Why Didn't You Protect Me?

February 16, 2007 04:09 PM UTC
views: 0 | 2 people recommend this | comments: 17

I thought I would be safe

when I told you;

I never dreamed

you would turn your back on me.

 

But you closed the door

on my fears and pain,

You closed the door

on my continuing shame.

 

Who could believe that he

would do such a thing?

Why would he?

You're making it up.

 

The door to my being

was slammed shut that day,

and I have never felt so alone.

 

Comments: 17

LittleMissSunshine A. Feb 16, 2007, 4:20pm UTC
Great job on this.
Vinay Benjamin Feb 16, 2007, 4:27pm UTC
Cheryl - whatever happens - don't ever close that door for good! And I'm not "making it up" - you're a gem!!
DARCEY D. Feb 16, 2007, 9:18pm UTC
If one person reads your beautifully writen very brave, articals and poems, and is helped by just the knowledge that they are not alone.Then you have achieved more than you will know,Well done Cheryl,
Darcey D.
Carol Roach Feb 17, 2007, 1:23am UTC
there are no words to express what I feel about this piece that has touched me so deeply.
Johnny G. Feb 17, 2007, 2:39am UTC
I can only imagine how lonely and frustrating it must be to have a loved one ignore such an appeal for help. Like a door being slammed shut is a good description.
Quinn (aka Entwife) Blackburn Feb 17, 2007, 11:52am UTC
Wow... powerful. Beautifully expressed but so sad!

Wishing You Laughter
..
U
Charity B. Feb 17, 2007, 1:50pm UTC
(((My heart is with you in my prayers...every day)))
♥kyra D. Feb 17, 2007, 4:57pm UTC
So sorry for your pain Cheryl. What an awful thing for a child to have to live through.
Sue D. Feb 17, 2007, 5:36pm UTC
this is so haunting that it gave me the chills.
Corina C. Feb 17, 2007, 9:21pm UTC
Thank you Cheryl. For years I haven't spoken to my mother. I don't not speak to her, she just doesn't call me and I don't go out of my way to call her. I do for her birthday and Christmas and mother's day but rarely at other times. I feel she failed to protect me and warn me til it was too late then she ignored the facts. She failed me and I don't know if I will forgive her for it.
amanda w. Feb 18, 2007, 5:30am UTC
My voice was also buried and I feel your pain. Thank you for putting this into words. I hope it helps in your healing process. Love and light....
Audrey F. Feb 20, 2007, 12:47am UTC
Cheryl, I am so sorry that not only did you father betray you by sexually abusing you, but he did it again by turning his back on you and lying when you tried to get help. You are not alone anymore. I know our being here doesn't take away that pain and that deep feeling of abandonment, but I hope that your knowing you have friends here at Gather who truly care about you helps your healing as much as your writing help ours.
M B. Apr 9, 2007, 3:04pm UTC
Cheryl, I am sorry -- for what was done to you, for how it ihas so obviously caused you pain, and for those who do not believe. I believe you, and I am here for you.
Jan S. Feb 11, 2008, 7:42pm UTC
There are so many women who have been betrayed in this way as children. It never goes away and it makes us more compassionate, stronger people.
Julie Michael Dec 18, 2008, 5:28pm UTC
Beautiful poem... heartbreaking, and beautiful... all at the same time...
Shelbia C. Jan 26, 2010, 9:10pm UTC
Beautifully done
Tracey L. Jun 20, 2010, 1:52pm UTC
Maybe sometimes people cannot accept the truth, not because they do not love you; but because they are afraid.
How bittersweet; such pain can produce such beautiful poetry.

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