Warm day
Trike with streamers
Lighthearted
I’m a believer
So little and vulnerable
No clothes to cover
No harm to feel
Only joy seems to hover
But the broken was there
Hiding as seed
The evil would come
To her and me
He will betray us both
Cast us to the side
I’m not sure we knew
To go run and hide
This captures a moment
It catches a true
You think it’s the future
But he didn’t come through
I’m fifty years past
Looking at it again
Tears come out
Where to begin
Mental health is a piece
The rest has no excuse
You made us suffer
I’ll always accuse
You left you left
Relationally abused
What father does that
It’s left me confused
Were you here today
I’d sit you down
Give you an earful
And hope that you drown
In all that you did
Your life was a mess
and you used me and used me
To keep your world blessed
You’ll leave the girl
the one on the trike
you won’t protect her
you’ll take a hike
It would have been fun
to ride bikes one day
Just like the one
on that fun summer day
I rode all alone
Pedaling as fast as I could
I wore myself out
You never came as you should
Now you are dead
Supposedly at rest
Never suffering again
As I do my best
To heal from your life
The one you force-fed
Down my throat
‘Til I nearly felt dead
I’m sitting here now
Speaking what’s true
Alone at this table
Wishing it was to you
Angel Richard is a southerner who wonders how she got transplanted to the Pacific Northwest. She always wanted to live overseas but found that God has brought the world to her through the refugees and immigrants in the Seattle area to whom she teaches English at a local college. She loves thinking deeply, talking honestly, and exploring all the mountains, lakes, and trails that surround her, with her husband of 31 years. She’s the mother of three sons and is thrilled to have her first daughter-in-law.
Such trouble there had to have been for a father to leave such a precious little girl. I’m so sorry you had to experience this neglect/abuse at such a young age. We never truly overcome the scars left behind. Thank you for sharing your story and for thriving in spite of it. My scars are very different than yours; I rub a healing balm on them when I sit alone at the table.
Thank you for sharing this, Angel. My heart aches for that little girl and your not-so-little girl self, and resonates deeply with your words. P.S. I knew you for a moment 30 years ago back in our AIA days! Do you remember Michael & me? Much love to you, dear one.
Thanks for your words Robin. I do remember you and Michael!!. Wish I was near for a cup of tea/coffee to hear all about what’s happened with you all over the years. 🙂
Painful to read…it hits too close to home.
Powerful…it took my breath away!
So heartfelt, and many can relate to parts of this poem!
I’ve never been prouder of you . Pen to paper with more guts than you even knew you had !
🙂
Thanks everyone for your words and responses. Truly appreciate it. Angel
Thanks everyone for your words and responses. Truly appreciate it.