I lived it so I know the pain child abuse is terrible thing to expreince. You have written this very well.
Hugs Angela

I know all too much of this pain; and all too well the hurts that follow after and sometimes forever. Well Done!!!!! Bravo!!!

All abuse is bad, but child abuse enrages me.

Well done.

Sad but true! Tami you've penned it very well!

Jaya Bholenath!
Roshan

A deeply sad poem Tami. My heart goes out to every innocent being who have experienced such. Compassion is desperately needed, particularly for the disturbed people who harm. If only they knew the depth of love and relationship they have missed out on in this lifetime. A heart-striking ending!

Nice way to get your message across. It leaves a sad feeling that makes us want to help. Thank you.

Deeply felt and shered. I feel in awe of what you write. Love and peace.

Regis

Tami this is soooo sad and I agree with Shiela. When I was a pre-teen I thought that my mother loved me, not knowing she was just biding her time til she could be rid of me. When that time did come, for every fond memory I have of those days, she took every one of them away ionj one felled swoop. Shilea said it best, when she wrote in her review: "I hate the fact, that the good memories of my childhood are Gone and gone foreverrrrrr- and replaced with Sadness, Pain, Confusion- Gross acts of another- etc". This has been my life from the age of 12½ until I met my family, and my friends here. But I still do not know true love, because I don't thinkt here is a man out there for me. Even tho my Michael proclaimed his love on bended knee and sealed it with a ring and a kiss, he makes excuses not to be with me. Not to take a weekend off and come for a visit so we can have a decent time. I trusted my mother, and even tho I still love her ( why, because I have forgiven her), what she did to me was not the love of a mother to her child. She was hateful, spiteful, vengeful, cunning, backstabbing...and I wish to Almighty God that I would have endured sexual abuse to the physical and sexual abuse that I did endure. When I was in the institutions, the boys thought anally raping me was their way of showing me who was in control. These boys also gave me beatings anytime something was bothering them, even tho I did nothing to them. How sad that "what was taken away - we deserved better- we are Angels then of no choice- then what's get dropped in our laps/etc." I was taken away to an institution and had never done a thing wrong inmy life. Why was I punished so severely? Didn't my mother care? No, I don't think she ever gave it a second thought. OMG I just can't say anything else, these tears are blocking my typing. Thnx for sharing Tami. May the Lord Jesus bless you, and those whom you love, and be with you always, and at your side constantly. May Hebless all the children then and now who have been sexually and phsyically abused. With much love in my heart, stubborn to a fault, joy to the world, peace on earth, & ((((((((((MANY WONDERFUL SISTERLY HUGGGGSSSS)))))))))), your little sad sister, Barbie

"if I have to be this girl in me, Then I may as well be."

YES! : ( YOu know why Tami-- cuz, of the TRust factor- or as I call it... Lets REEL those little ones in-----> Ahhh, caught this 1.....

It suckssss to think of this way-- but, Manipulation used in the right hands with a Nonsuspecting newcomer- is their prey- and sometimes *( if not always ) they win :( - Kids need to have someone to turn too and TRUST! WE both know this Tami- How is your HEart now these days??? My heart is with you- and I'm glad we met--! Your a treasure gem in my box of Golden treasures in my heart~!
These words Tam---> There are so few fond memories
left within me now

Because each time you touched me
you took ten of them away------> SucK BiG Time-- you know why?- becuz, we know this to be So damn true-- what was taken away - we deserved better- we are Angels then of no choice- then what's get dropped in our laps/etc. WE have to Except- not willingly ofcourse- but, so much of Good memories are destroyed becuz. if Severe Gross memories we can not erase but, try hard too--- I'm keeping this TAm -cuz, you hit a place within me, I thought was hidden DEEP~! and it's not... I hate the fact, that the good memories of my childhood are Gone and gone foreverrrrrr- and replaced with Sadness, Pain, Confusion- Gross acts of another- etc. I wish you peace and serenity my sister of my heart and soul- I am So Angry and this Anger has to be used in a GOO/D way... How TAmi -How?- I hate what others so called geniouses can get away with- I hate it with a PaSSion! I do believe in Karma- but, sometimes it doesn't happen FAST enough-or StrOng enough for the one who deserves the pain and desolute feelings, they left us with------------- :( WArm HuGs2U my sister-HuGs,Sheee ~Plant a SEED and watch it Grow~ and it will to-

This is the mark of a strong survivor. Bitter-sweet and raw. Very well written in a way that doesn't cover up a thing Sis. Tami.

blessin's
cynth'ya

Powerful punch ending! So very true too.

it's important that the sad injustice of "friendly" abuse is always brought to light ...

powerful poem!

Tami, good to read your work again. You've penned the quiet suffering of many. Incest and abuse from those entrusted with the care of children unravels hearts. What you are doing here raises awareness and helps broken hearts beat strong again. Dawn

The last line was a blow to the face. Took my breath away.
Shock like..

Oh Tami, my heart just fell, more powerful than anything I have ever read, outstanding and just heart-breaking reality, so powerfully penned,

Reindeer

You left me in silence. The subject needs to come to light. Few know or care to accept you closing lines. I'm proud of you for speaking out in behalf of those who can't. Thank you

Carmen

sad poem. To many times our children are forced to deal; with such pain. Thank you for speaking out. God Bless you.
Love Pamela

Powerful piece!