For David

For David


Cheer up my child, why so sad?
Life was never meant to be this bad.

A young boy only wants a place,
to call his home, where he is safe.

A simple thing for which your young heart longs,
what have you done, that was so wrong?

A kiss, a hug, just one approving smile.
Why then, do they, treat you so vile?

I see in your face, the pain, the hurt.
Those you trust the most, treat you like dirt.

You try so hard to make things right,
once more you’ll shed silent tears tonight.

So much anguish for such a little soul.
The ugliness begins, to turn you cold.

The fault is your’s, your told again.
No matter what you do, you never win.

In desperation, one last time you try.
You accept the blame, the lies you buy.

How to stop this hurt, you just don’t know.
If you embrace their hate,  will the pain then go?

While you’re still young, the change begins,
hate for yourself, now burns within.

The loathing and the guilt you feel,
become so strong, it may never heal.

You spend your days, repeating the names,
the cruel things they said, in your mind now reign.

You’ve learned so well to share their hate,
from within it now, there’s no escape.

The darkness grows, and you believe
that the sin is yours, you’ve no right to grieve.

The days, the years, they pass so slow,
you cannot survive this, that you know.

So in your mind, as your strength grows week,
a way to change, you desperately seek.

The things they did so long ago
were terrible, and yes, they know.

But hanging on to their beliefs,
only adds more misery, renews the grief.

And the agony of all those years,
still makes you weep, your heart sick with fear.

You’re finding out you weren’t so tough.
Never has a journey been so rough.

Now you’re grown, you’ve become a man,
you must find some peace, if ever you can.

Today, you’re the father, with a loving wife,
for so many years, their love, has preserved your life.

But the time has come, as you knew someday it might.
You now need to walk, by your own light.

So for them and you, start today,
free your heart, learn a different way.

You need to learn, to love and trust,
for them, and you, you really must.

It won’t be easy; it may take a while,
but with God’s help, once again you’ll smile.

Your life, it now begins anew,
with lots of help to see you through .

The child inside, at last free to play
‘Twill be your own light, that lights the way.