Children are to be seen and not heard.

This echoed in my head

from the time I got out of bed.

I learned to cry without making a sound.

Ran to dark corners. Where I couldn't be found.

Held my dollys very tight and cryed myself to sleep most every night.  

I learned to accept abuse from strangers.

Not trust my mother, to keep me away from dangers.

My world smelt like beer.

Watching drunken behavior installed alot fear.

Mama never held me,  Daddy was at war.

Searching for food in the trash cans behide the neighborhood store.

We spent many nights alone, Trying to reach mother on the bar phone.

Having to raise ourselves the best that we knew

Getting bad grades and failing at school.

Falling asleep at class,trying to find answers at Mass.

I'ld close my eyes and try to find a happy place

But I often walked around with my head in space.

I was seen and not heard.

My feelings  had no word.

Denise