by Cheryl W.
Member since:
December 10, 2005

Avoidance

February 09, 2008 11:56 AM UTC
views: 0 | 1 person recommends this | comments: 35

You turned your head,

closed your eyes

while your little girl

                             cried,

while she lay

in shameful submission,

while she cowered in fear,

while she cursed the darkness;

Did you even shed a tear?

 

She was your sacrificial lamb;

Her innocent blood in on your hands;

you could have stopped him

                                 with a cry

                                 a plea

                                 a phone call

                                 a suitcast packed

                                 a bullet to his head

 

 But not even a tear was shed.

 

Comments: 35

Spencer T. Feb 9, 2008, 11:58am UTC
Sad as can be. It is common knowlege some ignore the pain of a child's abuse out of fear and/or ignorance.
Bob B. Feb 9, 2008, 12:00pm UTC
This is so sad, Cheryl. I don't know how fathers could ever do this in the first place, and how mothers are too afraid to step in and protect the child.
Alison H. Feb 9, 2008, 12:06pm UTC
Beautiful and terrible expression of the pain. So sad. I have a friend who endured the same situation. I think the wives/mothers were so dependent on their husbands for support in those days, and so shamed, that they were afraid to say anything, if they knew. Though I know this still goes on...
Landen Michaels Feb 9, 2008, 12:10pm UTC
Powerfully shameful and sad. A difficult one to write, I am sure.
Kimber L. Feb 9, 2008, 12:12pm UTC
People like that need the bullet to the head!
THat was a powerful poem!@
Danielle P. Feb 9, 2008, 12:52pm UTC
I believe whoever was a witness is just as guilty if no action was taken!! I'd shoot the person that tried to hurt my kids and I'd gladly go to jail.
dianne j. Feb 9, 2008, 1:04pm UTC
I can't even imagine a mother ignoring or tolerating abuse of her child — especially when the abuser is the father.

I can't even imagine staying with a man who abused my child. I would rather live on the streets.

Very powerful poem Cheryl.
vijay kumar Feb 9, 2008, 1:25pm UTC
Powerful poem of painful truth, with words piercing one's heart.
I pray for your peace.
Carol Roach Feb 9, 2008, 1:45pm UTC
so sad that people look on and not do anything,
Larry H. Feb 9, 2008, 1:55pm UTC
Sad, thanks for sharing.
Wade A. Feb 9, 2008, 3:31pm UTC
Powerful and sad revelations of the soul. I feel weird saying, "nicely written" but the way in which you express this painful subject is cathartic for everyone in one sense or another. Thank you Cheryl!
J W. Feb 9, 2008, 3:59pm UTC
good poem, but sad
Cheryl W. Feb 9, 2008, 4:04pm UTC
Thanks everyone.

Ron...thank you. I am at peace now. This poem was written for those who are still suffering or have never been able to move past their abuse. I worked for several years with children who had suffered through this...as well as the mothers who allowed it to happen, and so much attention is always placed on the abuser himself, people tend to let the mothers off the hook a bit too easily. Anyway...hopefully my poems help people in the area of awareness....
Cristina S. Feb 9, 2008, 4:05pm UTC
strong - well written - disgusting and sad that this happens and - - - nothing - - - happens...
Sue M. Feb 9, 2008, 4:28pm UTC
Powerful poem, Cheryl! I'm so glad you have been able to heal and find peace.
Terry Collett Feb 9, 2008, 4:54pm UTC
Moving poem. Your comments on your poem are beautifully expressed.
Sensational Sadie Sexy Senior Sitizen Feb 9, 2008, 6:54pm UTC
A very strong poem, moving and sad. I know of several people who have been victims of this abuse and have not healed.
Bonnie L. Feb 9, 2008, 7:44pm UTC
Cheryl - this was so well written, yet very painful to read. I love the way you formatted the words.
The parent who ignores, I have to think, is even more to blame than the sick parent who can't help himself.
Alison H. Feb 9, 2008, 8:21pm UTC
Hmm, the sick parent who can't help himself?
Tom C. Feb 9, 2008, 8:34pm UTC
So many rays of despair gloam out of these terrible, tragic scenes. Cheryl, the anger, hurt, and incredulity are so raw here. You are shedding light here on a truth we'd mostly rather not think about. Thank you.
Yeah, what does that mean, Alison? I'm not saying the sick parent who can't help himself isn't wrong, but a parent who watches a child be abused and allows it to happen is every bit, if not more, to blame.
Cheryl W. Feb 9, 2008, 9:54pm UTC
I don't know as the "sick" parent can't help himself either because there is a lot of planning involved...as well as a lot of manipulation and intimidation. I agree that the parent who stands on the sidelines and just watches is just as bad. It was easy for me to excuse it away until I became a mother myself...and there is NOTHING I would not do to protect my child...even if it meant going to a homeless shelter.
Alison H. Feb 10, 2008, 1:41am UTC
Where there homeless shelters in our parents' generation?

I'm not excusing anybody.....I would never look the other way.....
Corina C. Feb 10, 2008, 2:15am UTC
This is a wonderfully powerful poem. Many times I have cursed those that stood by and did nothing.
Angie O. Feb 10, 2008, 4:04am UTC
I'm glad you are at peace Cheryl, a beautiful write.
Cheryl W. Feb 10, 2008, 12:29pm UTC
Alison...no, there probably weren't any homeless shelters. But there were options. In my case, I could have been sent to stay with my grandmother who lived only 5 miles away...or an uncle, who was a Dr and who also lived in the same town. I think there is always an option of some kind.
Elizabeth E. Feb 10, 2008, 8:46pm UTC
Cheryl, I feel your pain through your writing. You should get them published. You are so talented! Thanks
Midnite Writer -- Kim Feb 10, 2008, 8:56pm UTC
Though this was sad I like how this unfolded. Deep expression of tragic emotions. This is wonderful! You give a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Warren Keating Feb 10, 2008, 10:20pm UTC
Oh my gosh, how gripping. Thank you so much for sharing it in such a well written, communicative form.
Renee (Pres of Baby James Foundation) ~. Feb 10, 2008, 10:38pm UTC
First I want to say thank you for sharing this. Being one of those of abuse it helps so much knowing you are not alone.

Alison I want to say one thing. I am not attacking first of all, I am an advocate on child abuse. I don't care what the situation is first a person can help themselves. If they are sick they need to get themselves the help they need. If they are homeless I am not quite sure how that is sick. I was homeless as well. At NO time did I consider to abuse a child. Anyone that uses an excuse for abusing a child needs locked up and the key thrown away. There is NO excuse to abuse a child in any way or form. When people start realizing they help themselves then they will be okay then the abuse will stop. When people stop blaming everything and everyone in their lives then the abuse will stop as well. As Cheryl said there are always an option in these situations.
Tiffany G. Feb 11, 2008, 12:55pm UTC
This is really sad! Thanks for sharing.
Jan S. Feb 11, 2008, 7:40pm UTC
This is a terrible and all too common occurence. It's tragic when those who could intervene turn away. It is betrayal, plain and simple. Adults who fail to protect are as guilty as the actual abuser.
Shelbia C. Jan 26, 2010, 9:11pm UTC
Well done

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