Stolen Innocence

The sexual abuse of children is all to common these days. The effects are everlasting. These crimes effect more than just the victim. I am a member of a poetry site (Poet's Workshop) and we were challenged to write a poem about such abuse. It is our way of spreading the word, helping to fight crime against our children, and help support the victims. They need to know they are not alone, it is not their fault and to help them to heal! This was my submission. Not for the easily disturbed, this is real people, it happens all the time! Stolen Innocence Holding back the tears, An innocent Angel suffers in silence. Trembling hands and aching heart; Anticipating the eminent violence. Lord, please let the day last and keep the sun from falling Protect her from the night When evil comes calling Her prayer is unanswered, Under the covers she weeps. A twist of the door knob; Into her room he creeps. She sees the beastly silhouette From beneath her cotton sheet, Tiny fists clinch, writhing in pain Her agony; his desire is replete His words were gentle; not threatening She believed his love was true When he said my little princess, This is what all DaddyÍs do. MommyÍs are jealous of this little game That only DaddyÍs get to play You can never tell a living soul They wonÍt believe you anyway And so she kept this little secret. And kept her bruises well concealed. She knew that Mommy would be hurt If the truth were ever revealed The late night games became more frequent Often more than once a night Love should not cause such pain There is no way this could be right She called her Mother to her room Mommy, I think you need to know DaddyÍs done some awful things He touched me down below He told me never to tell you That youÍd just be angry with me Oh I am so very sorry Mommy can you forgive me That very instant, an arrow pierced her heart Her knees buckled, she dropped to the ground Speechless, immersed with guilt Rage, Anger, Contriction all compound The light inside her died that day Unable to protect her own creation Two spirits broken, one by the hands of another And one sentenced by her own damnation