The Terrified Child

Maybe I should forgive him, Maybe he has changed, But every time I try to that terrified child within me sheds a tear. She never wanted any of that She just wanted safety. She cries as I try to wash myself of the dirt The dirt of childhood, the grime of adolescence, I scrub until the skin is red and raw, but it will not clean. Now she is crying. I feel if I forgive him that I wrong her. She never got an apology. The terror still haunts her.