Charade You Are

I feel the shadow of fear creeping down the dark hall         
slipping noticed into the room - my eyes squinched tight         
  
But I know that shadow even with my eyes closed don't I         
It's bad intentions made known with the smell of beer         
in my nostrils.         
         
oh god, oh god, oh god         
         
         
Holding still under covers   
praying to a god that's nowhere around         
don't get me, don't get me         
my fear sucks all sound from the room         
  
But not for long           
         
           
I see the shadows of my sister dancing in the dark         
the blue of the night light adds calming colors         
making shadow creatures out of the dancers frenzied movements         
yet doing nothing to mask the whimpered sound   
of dying innocence   
    
         
Just how many times can innocence die?         
         
I lay frozen with fear and self hatred         
I mean why couldn't I just sneak up and  beat my father         
to death with my baton underneath the bed? 
I wish I was brave enough to smash his face bloody        
why can't I?   
  
Cause daddy's stronger than god!!         
         
         
I'm no savior, just a little girl with the world         
and my sister's innocence on my shoulders         
I disgust myself lying frozen          
while the abuse goes on and on   
  
Till a minute seems like hours       
  
I clap my hands over my ears   
pretending this is not my life         
no, no, no, this can't be my life         
         
Please God, just let me die         
         
Waiting until the shadow slips down the hall         
back to hell and my mother -    
who's earned the title of Mama the blind     
and not for nothing either         
  
I disappear into the nothing I've become         
and will spend my entire life perfecting         
wearing my mask of a happy girl   
  
ha ha Charade you are
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Kimathi Avatar
October 27, 2016 at 2:25 AM
Very emotional.....millions of children experience such things almost every day.... Congrats Shaunda, for having your poem featured in the Poetrysoup Homepage!! ;-) I'm sure it will send a message to many parents or parents-to-be out there.....
Lindsay Avatar
October 27, 2016 at 8:22 AM
It would truly be a wonderful thing if at least one parent learns from the pain of others. Thank God child abuse is no longer just a family matter like it was when I grew up. Children actually have an outlet now for such things. Thanks so much..
Alexander Avatar
March 16, 2016 at 12:10 PM
ah my sister, again I cry reading this; unbidden the tears still come. your writing is so powerful , I never realized that before. yes, sis, I have grown , thanks to you and Sidney (G), I am healing, getting better within. Elizabeth.xxx
Lindsay Avatar
March 16, 2016 at 12:24 PM
I am so glad you're healing hun. So glad. You are a wonderful person and you deserve all the best. So does G... me too. We are superwomen.
A   Avatar
March 14, 2016 at 5:21 PM
Ha, you sure know how to grab your readers attention... Enjoyed...Linda
Lindsay Avatar
March 14, 2016 at 5:46 PM
Once again, thank you for your kindness and understanding. I decided long ago, I would no longer keep my fathers secrets.
A  Avatar
March 14, 2016 at 11:33 AM
Shaunda Lindsay, Welcome to Poetry Soup. It will be a delight to read and become familiar with your poems in the future. As for now, I will greet you with the same smile others passed when I first joined the soup. Wishing you and your poetry the best. I hope you get to meet all the nice poets around here STARTING with me- SKAT :-) Please drop a hello and tell me a little about yourself if you wish. I would like to be your newest poetry soup "FRIEND" Hugs* SKAT
Lindsay Avatar
March 14, 2016 at 2:40 PM
Thank you for your kindness..Much appreciated. Hugs.
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