Shatter the Silence

Statistics report that a high percentage of those abused know the abuser and are often related. I have wanted to draw an illustration for this poem, but for some reason, I haven't been able to pull it together. This is not my story, though abuse was a large part of my life, however, it is the story of someone I know, and of thousands I have never met. The only way we can break the cycle is to "Shatter the Silence."

Shatter the Silence
©2004, Janet K. Poludniak

A little girl crouches quietly,
her back pressed against the wall
beside the tall grandfather clock
that stands in the dimly lit hall.
The child is quietly hiding,
but her hiding is not a game.
She hopes for a brighter tomorrow,
but her tears reveal her shame.
She longs for her hand-me-down dress
to keep her safe from all wrong.
She pulls it tightly over her legs
and wishes that she was strong.
Her little eyes stare downward
at her beautiful storybook.
She carefully turn its pages,
but her eyes have a distant look.

Her faithful, tear-stained teddy
snuggles closely by her side.
He's always been there to comfort her
whenever the little girl cried.
Sir Teddy's the only witness,
they're forever inseparable friends,
She's sure he'd help her if he could,
and sometimes she pretends
that Sir Teddy comes to rescue her
and carries her fast away
to the land of "Forever Happiness"
where forever they can play,
It's truly a wonder-filled place,
where all is safe and free,
and it's a place where the little girl
and Sir Teddy long to be.

She silently makes a wish,
but not for what a toy brings,
because those follow the pain,
and more unspeakable things.
She wishes she was invisible,
she hopes and plans and schemes
desiring what she's never known,
but longs for in her dreams.
Her mind's in a desperately struggle
with so many doubts and fears . . .
about so many questions
that are well beyond her years.
She yearns for a safe place,
and has searched without success.
She wonders, "What's wrong with me?
Did I cause this terrible mess?"

And wondering if the fault's her own,
she thinks, "What should I do to atone?"
Though it's others who've exploited her,
she fears the wrath she might incur.
She tries so hard just to be good,
to do everything she thinks she should.
She feels alone and so afraid,
and rues the day that she was made.
But she's never alone—if she only knew!
Love's not taking, but giving to . . . .
Love doesn't strip innocence away!
True love protects—both night and day.

The little girl feels hopeless and lost,
and she can't begin to assess the cost.
Others wronged her, but she feels the shame
when her offender plays his dirty game.
She shouldn't live in terror each day
where hiding is the best game to play.
Who will protect her and take her side?
Who'll heal the hurts and mend her pride?
She's much too young to run away,
but way too vulnerable just to stay.
Who can give her cause for hope,
and stop the cruel hands that grope?

Sir Teddy's her comfort when footsteps fall
from the base offender coming down the hall.
Sir Teddy's her witness, but he can't tell,
so daily she's haunted by the sounds, the smell.
She's terribly wounded, but it's all inside.
The best she hopes for is a place to hide.
If she only knew how to shatter the silence;
there are those who could end the violence.
There are safe people, safe places to go,
but she can't have them if she doesn't know.
"Happy ever after" is not for real,
but there is One who can help and heal.

There is One whose love is pure,
and He brings hope that will endure.
Even in the most terrible place,
He'll be there with sustaining grace.
He feels her pain; He knows her tears;
He'll stay close by throughout her years.
He'll judge her offender, severely, and yet,
it's almost certain she'll never forget.
He, too, is a witness to every thing,
and righteous judgement He will bring.
All the things that come in life,
even things that cause pain and strife,
God can turn them inside out
‘til they serve a purpose; I've no doubt.
He gives us strength enough to live;
He helps us face our pain and forgive.

Story ID:	3934
Written by:	JANET KESSLER POLUDNIAK (bio, link, contact, other stories)
Organization:	JUST ME
Story type:	Poem
Location:	Anytown USA
Year:	2004
Person:	This deals with abuse. We need to "shatter the silence."