ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

NEGLECT ... Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBark Poet


He heard a whisper in the silence getting louder, getting bold,
fingers of memory probed his brain. For what? For when? Untold
memories surfaced, and he was a young and helpless child again.
A child who hid beneath the sheets
A child who life wears down, browbeats
A child who knows lies and deceits - whose life is full of pain.


He found the heart of darkness kind - for darkness hid his tears.
In darkness he could hide away unnoticed, cloak his fears
and cobweb skin with bruises traced in yellow, puce and black.
He was a child who knew the streets,
the haunts and hangouts of deadbeats;
the alleys rank, where danger lurked and no one had his back.

The mind's eye makes a difference to those broken souls we see.
One small boy saw the white sails of a small skiff running free
on ocean waves, where orca's and grey dolphins leapt and played;
a deep place, where beneath his feet
stood Neptune's halls from ancient Crete,
gold pirate treasure - trick or treat... 'twas just his mind's charade.

A child who knows lies and deceits - whose life is full of pain
is one who could give up and turn to crime. Who would we blame?
But fair to say not all will fail - some made of sterner stuff
will always try to overcome
what life dished out - break away from
iniquities, and with aplomb their poverty rebuff.

I knew a man like that and yes, I viewed him with respect,
a vocal and outspoken man, well versed in child-neglect.

A very thought-provoking verse Maureen. Haunting and sobering.

Cheers, Shelley

Sobering indeed. It is so true as well, that not everyone who had a rough childhood just sits back and blames their own appalling behaviour on their experience. We all have a choice, and those who are made of 'sterner stuff' inside and try to overcome are indeed those who win our admiration and respect.

Thanks Shelley and Catherine - glad you found something in it

Hi Maureen
as already mentioned a very touching poem.

I guess that one of the greatest crimes of all, is child abuse.
Yet still it persists with little sign of slowing.

Terry

Sadly it does Terry and no one seems to have the answers

Just a wonderful piece of writing Maureen. Isn't it depressing, knowing that horrid and horrible acts of abuse of the young and vulnerable are happening, and will continue to happen even as we write about it.
Wazza