My Purpose

I live in a house of Pain and it reflects the neglect and hurt of the children who live here. The furniture is broken or torn and the floors stay dirty. No matter how hard I clean I can’t wash away the stains that linger. The walls are bare, void of smiling faces We don’t have to camouflage our Pain for we know our truth. They have journeyed here, their bags packed with anguish. Remnants of their lives. Each bringing their own Pain that now has blended with one another, intertwining creating such a tangled ball of despair that It can’t be unraveled by just one hand. There are no curtains at the windows because we wait for the sun, huddled together Hiding behind doors in the darkness Afraid that someone will find us. We are melancholy and even in times of joy we hurt with temporary laughter and broken smiles. And the Pain lingers, its ensconced in the divides of the walls. In the corners and cracks. But the house is strong, it hasn’t buckled under our agony It holds us, protects us, warms our bodies It peeps out its windows aware of the outsiders the ones who have caused harm and bring the Pain. It will let them know they are not welcome Chills them, making them uneasy It reveals to them it’s spirits. Frightening them, never to return again. I am the woman of this house But my arms can’t open wide enough and my words aren’t strong enough Can’t penetrate the hurts that has affected each one of them. For I am hesitant, unsure Because I also have Pain and my pain is great It is rooted and has settled in the pits of my soul It has become my nemesis It has become my Every day. Now is my test, my redemption I must find the strength to make the Pain Go away So in order to heal their wounds. I must learn to push my hurt aside This is my war and I will fight I will not let it devour their youth as it did mine. Erase their dreams while whispering in their ears “There is no future” I will paint the walls and soon the sun will shine through the windows and the cracks. We will dance victorious, embracing our lives while never allowing other's sins cross us again. We will love, forgive, and set ourselves free.