Poems We plan to pick a poem each month about child abuse or from victims of abuse and print them on this page as a way of sharing tears and healing old wounds. Some may illustrate the pain and others may illustrate the hope and healing. Keep in mind that some aspects may be "triggering" so be sure your mind feels in a safe place before reading on. Thank you.   There is no peace.... by Pamela Prentiss-Harrison   The night falls gentle upon the earth but hard within the heart of a terror-filled child. There is no peace this night but a sentry-like awareness of every noise, every movement within the house.   A silent prayer is taken upon the wings of the mourning dove who waters the ground below with its tears watching puddles form where each drop lands forming a new ocean of sorrow. There is no peace this night.   The tender child draws itself into a tiny ball as if to disappear ... footsteps are heard in the hall "please no" is whispered, "please go" is prayed as the doorknob quietly turns. There is no peace this night.   The dove soars higher, shaking sobs within its breast penetrating clouds, gliding on wind seeking its source looking for the Light knowing there will be no peace this night.   The shadow falls across clenched fists, tousled curls, drawn up limbs, eyes squeezed shut against the scene about to unfold scarcely breathing, knowing there is no peace this night.   Feverishly winging toward the rainbow of light and celestial destination, the dove contracts and gasps with the pain of its little charges' spirit and delivers the message To the being of Light & Beauty who swoops down to grasp the hand of the child and deliver its pain to another dimension to be stored until the child is stronger and able to face the reality of evil on the earth.   The angel cradles her charge, gently rocking, while tears stream down her face... mixing with the silent tears of the child. The dove quietly sings its grievous song of mourning for the lost innocence of this precious tot. There is no peace this night.   Day of the Child Note: Aside from being a gifted writer, Pamela Prentiss-Harrison is one of our incredible ambassadors (Mississippi) who has a real heart for hurting childen and even a warrior-like spirit to stand in the gap for these hurting young ones. Pamela we salute you and appreciate the work you do in this field. Many are blessed to know you.   "THE PROMISE" As I noticed myself becoming old and gray, I knew it was time to visit the little girl of yesterday. She had been kept safely hidden In a place where others had been forbidden. She knew I had to leave her long ago, So one of us could find the strength to grow. I promised her that I would someday return, For she was my main concern. No one could understand how her and I connect, For I was the one present during the crime and neglect. As I opened the door to yesterday, I heard the sound of children happily at play, But I noticed her sitting all alone and sad Until our eyes met and she became glad. We reunited by hugging and kissing one another Like a beloved daughter and a mother. I comforted her and dried away her tears That were too painful for so many years. As I looked in her small eyes of grey, I told her that the monster had gone away. She looked up at me and said,"I love you" Then I replied, "I love you too". Someone who cared had finally set her free. The little girl that I used to be. Andrea ---------------------   Lost Innocence Anonymous Looking back on a time and place Seeing a child's innocent face Knowing that things aren't as they appear For inside she cries silent tears Deep inside she is filled with pain She feels dirty and full of shame Innocence lost at a very young age Locked this child in a pain filled cage There is no freedom or escape From the fact this child was raped While the guilty man is roaming free This child is sentenced to eternity Eternity locked away with all this shame She can't help but feel that she was to blame Even though common sense says it was not her fault She can't seem to help from having these thoughts What ifs' keep running through her mind She keeps going back to those moments in time If there isn't something different she could have done Why didn't she scream or at least try to run Fear kept her frozen to the spot While this grown man did what he should have not Shame and fear made her keep the silence Kept her telling anyone about the violence The thing that is shocking beyond belief Is that this child could not get any relief The same thing happened again and again The first one was just how it began More than one man did his worst None of them caring about the child they hurt After the first time was it easy to tell Was it her pain and shame they could smell? With every touch a part of her died Now she is in a prison that has no gate Every one of them sealing her fate  ------   GOD's Little Child GOD sent me to you to melt your cold heart And to give your life a new start I was just a bundle of love Sent from Heaven above GOD had put twinkles in my eyes From the stars He took from the sky But I didn't melt your cold heart as you held me that day I only heard the awful words you begin to say I feft the blows and I felt the pain And I felt my life slipping away As my blood flowed leaving stains You left me to die all alone But GOD was watching from His Heavenly Throne GOD sent His Angels to me and as they wiped away my tears They told me never again would I know fear The Angels carried me back to my Home above Where JESUS greeted me with open arms of love He smiled at me and said" I know what you have been through because I was abused and murdered to". " I will continue to knock on this cold heart's door and maybe before it is too late Love will replace hate". Janice Stancil, 2001   Lashes Of Life The lashes of life you may not see Just by looking at me I have hid the emotional scars deep within And I have pretended my tears were diamonds My mother beat me most of the time with an invisible whip made with hurtful words that cut deep But no one read the abusive signs I carried like chains When she thought I hadn't suffered enough She beat me with anything close to her hands And each time when she finally let me go I ran Hoping to find a way of escape No matter my childhood age I was a frightened child For I lived in the devil's rage Even now that I am a grown woman That frightened child lives within me But I hide her so the world will not see What a "Mother" did to her When my mother died People wondered why I hardly cried I, and the child within me watched as mother was lowered in her deep dark grave And I knew she would never again Hurt the little child within me I now know JESUS and I love Him so He sees and knows the little frightened child within me JESUS is gently healing the scars mother's lashes made And I thank JESUS because I believe One day this frightened child will be free Janice Stancil -----   Day of the Child NOTE: It's sad that abuse would cause this type of feeling in a precious individual but these types of thoughts are very real to those experiencing the evils of abuse. Please pray for the victims who have had their joy of living stolen from them at an early age and that they would receive enough grace to heal. If you would like to read additional poems by victims and survivors of abuse please click here to go to one of our supportive ambassador's sites of poems. Tell others.