It Starts At Home

So for one of last week's assignments, we had to write a reaction to the issue of human trafficking. We could take a photo, write a blog, write a poem, song, etc. I've always enjoyed expressing myself through poetry so I decided to write a poem. This particular poem is written from the perspective of a small boy asking his abusive father to love him. This issue is rooted in the inconsistent and destructive value system our country has when we fail to show our children how to love one another and treat people with respect.

IT STARTS AT HOME

You do not know

But I watch what you do.

I watch your heavy eyes

look through me.

I do not exist to you.

All I dream for is for your

strong coarse hands to grasp

mine. Guide my young

fingers to explore my heart.

Teach me strength.

Teach me kindness.

Teach me LOVE.

I still do not exist to you.

You show me pain.

You show me anger.

You show me evil.

You do not know

but I hear what you say.

What you say is different

from what you do.

I know because I hear you.

I listen to you.

Your words bring tears.

I want words that let

my lips smile.

Instead my lips quiver.

You hand causes me pain.

My skin will heal.

But I still remember you

telling me 'I'm worthless.'

I will always remember you

telling me 'I'm worthless.'

My heart is empty.

My soul is full of darkness.

I know because I feel like you.

You don't know but

I DO as you DO.

And I?

I blame you.