I often write about my traumatic childhood openly. The following may be upsetting or disturbing. Trigger Warning.
*
Swan Song, a poem of child abuses
*
Brother, how have you forgotten
the man that held you down
teaching you adult manly things
when you were but just a boy
*
Sister remembers and talks about
what Brother dare not say
(No one can silence me any more
I have not forgotten father's ways)
*
Sister, how had you forgotten
the secret parties on the West Side of town
dad's pals, food and strange men with cash
two sisters too young to be working girls
*
Sister remembers and talks about
what younger sister can no longer say
(No one can silence me any more
I have not forgotten father's ways)
*
Brother, I know you remember
the crimes dad disguised as games
he wanted a witness, silent and mute
and that was your part to play
*
Sister remembers you standing there
and respects your wounded right not to say
(Yet no one will silence me now
I speak loud, fierce and free)
*
Sister, why have you forgotten
the hitting, the bruising and blood
you didn't want the truth to be real
daddy loves you, beatings lie
*
Sister loves you and remembers
how much his fists hurt you
(No one can silence me any more
father abused you, and me too)
*
Sister, how you work to stuff yourself
hiding the hurt under layers of eats
Insulating and pretending it will all go away
what father did pains you deeply inside
*
Sister knows your pain
and prays you seek counsel help
Be like her, Silent No More
You too, know father's sins
*
Brother, what story do you tell yourself
when you see the crescent scar by your eye
do you remember one of dad's fits of rage
or do you choose to believe one of mom's lines
*
Sister saw it all go down
little brother struck in the hall
mother shrieking
"never in the face, Don,
try not to ever hit them in the face"
(mother's makeup can only cover so much)
I'm sorry you were wounded
I wonder if you know the truth
Sister loves you
and is Silent No More
*
Amy Cavanaugh Murphy 12/28/23
