Trapped between obedience and survival
she struggles every day
with secrets that threaten to defile her young mind
they have already claimed her body
Slowly consuming her soul.

She told her protectors
once
but they did not believe
the second telling resulted in
condemnation for her pleas.


Unable connect to
others in a meaningful way
Makes her life a lonely one
that drags on day by day.


Now she sits alone and scared
unable to defend
any reason she should care about a life of just pretend.


People say they care
it's true
but what is it they care for
when they don’t see you.


They see the function she fulfills
at work from day to day.
They like having their needs met
that is the corporate way.

If they only knew the demons that
so gripped her heart
they would run screaming, pleading
with their minds to not depart.

Deeds of the past have shaped the person today
it is a necessity to pretend all is well
and
life works, as it should.
Facing the past could destroy her sanity.


But how much longer will pretending make it all seem good?
Deep cracks are evident in the facade so carefully erected
it won't be long before it all tumbles
blending with her life's rubble
it once hid from view.

I have now read ALL your poems.

I know you want people who read them to see you, but we see ourselves too.

Surely that means...you are not alone.

Does anyone truely SEE another person?
We all carefully consruct a coping mechanism in which to function, and most of the time, we do function.

Keep writing formfree, you are far more eloquent than I am!

May Angels always watch over you.

JJ