Left Behind

I’d never ask you to walk in my shoes.
But rather see the world through my eyes.
Take a journey within the mind of the lost, and perhaps you’ll realize 

That my complexity has a depth that even I can’t comprehend.
Scrapping the surface of my own insecurity with the false truths of men 
Losing myself further in them, as they discovered themselves, ensnared securely 
within 

Defiling my temple, disgracing the sanctity of my synagogue, 
Tagging graffiti on my walls, each breaching my foundation, just a little further than 
the one that come before

Robbed of my virtue, raped of my innocence
Embedding their perverse presence into my very essence

Battered and bruised both inside and out.
Pain pierced so deeply turns quiet cries, to silent shouts.

Lost in a whirl wind of my own none existence, longing to find my place in this world.
Trying to mask the hurt of a tarnished little girl

High off of shame, drunken misery,
Each infectious encounter, an intoxicating buzz, which just kept lifting me

Higher and higher until I exceeded cloud nine, 
But everything that goes up eventually comes down.

And as I descended to earth, I saw my reflection,
 in a collage of rain drops, falling from heaven,

I saw a part of me that wasn’t really me tattered and torn, 
I saw the torment of my past within the eye of the storm

Living a life that really wasn’t my own, but instead a long, drawn out game of 
pretend.

The knowledge of knowing a man, before I could ever find myself.
Unwilling giving all that I was until I had nothing left.

Only memories of them trapped in my mind, envisioning their faces every time I 
closed my eyes. 
My childhood fears, they were not make believe, they manifested themselves, each 
and every day.
Forced to play games no child should have to play. 

There was no boogeyman hiding under my bed waiting to penetrate my dreams in 
the still of the night,
 only the phantom that appeared, and brutally attacked in broad day light. 

With the images that often haunted me, and their voices of pure evil that would 
repeatedly taunt me.

I put on pretentious outward disguises, while the inner me was crying.
I tried to move on with my life while, my wholesomeness was dying 

On a quest for happiness, yet sometimes drowning in sorrow
Enduring today and embracing tomorrow.

Now, I’m searching seeking substance, hoping that one day I might find. 
The scared little girl that got left behind.

Chiquita Baity
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Awoh Avatar
October 25, 2011 at 5:21 AM
Baity...u are brilliant...
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
August 23, 2011 at 6:53 PM
I went back to this one. I work with kids that have similar stories, sad, horrible stories but beautiful kids. Keep believing! There is little justice in our system. If you are searching, seeking substance, look within yourself. It is already there. You can feel it in this poem. Vince
A   Avatar
June 16, 2011 at 6:37 PM
Congrats on your feature Chiquita, deep write,enjoyed..p.d.
Nair Avatar
June 16, 2011 at 6:43 AM
Congrats on being featured. You have well brought out the agony,the torment, the hurt...but it's all mere illusion..don't forget you are the child of God and as such above all hurt..luv.
Isaac Avatar
June 15, 2011 at 12:19 AM
reading thinking feeling grieving i cried.
Baity Avatar
June 15, 2011 at 4:04 PM
This is the most honest and open poem i've ever written and I still cry everytime that I read it.
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
June 14, 2011 at 5:19 PM
Congrats Chiquita on your poem "Left Behind" being featured. Unless we've walked that mile.... This was a realistic look at struggle, honest and courageous. Vince
Baity Avatar
June 15, 2011 at 4:00 PM
Thank you so much
Brown Avatar
June 13, 2011 at 11:12 AM
Congratulations on your featured poem this week Chiquita. Love, Carol
Baity Avatar
June 15, 2011 at 4:00 PM
Thank You Carol, it's an honor
Mehta Avatar
June 13, 2011 at 10:48 AM
My congratulations on your poem being featured this week, Chiquita
Baity Avatar
June 15, 2011 at 4:01 PM
Thanks so much!!!!
Guzzi Avatar
June 4, 2011 at 6:18 PM
Excellent write, I too have been here "High Bred reality" is my verse re: this topic, it is Free Verse also I wish you healing. Light & Love
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