I Was that Child

I Was That Child

I was that child whose innocence was taken
And like all the others was left forsaken.
I was that child on whom people turned their backs
And left us to the devices of the Keith Laveracks.

I was that child who used to be free
I was that child who once played happily.
I was that child who was told not to tell
Of the nights in "that room" or of the living hell.

I was that child who used to lie there and shiver
I was that child, abused and aquiver.
I was that child wracked and laden with guilt
About what went on, under that quilt.

I was that child in straps and chained
I was that child left alone and in pain.
I was that child who was told she was bad
And if she told the truth they would say she was mad.

I was that child who once ran away
But was soon taken back, and was then made to pay!
I was that child, and like lots of others
The years have now past and many are mothers.

I was that child with a secret untold
Until a knock on the door, and the story unfolds.
I was that child filled with guilt and with shame
Who had to tell the Police, again and again.

I was that child, now with 18 years past
Had to relive the nightmares and the freezing cold baths.
I was that child who had to explain, to parent and partner
About what happened then.

I was that child, when tears started to fall
Was told it wasn't my fault
I couldn't help it at all.

I was that child - I wasn't to blame,
And one thing's for sure it won't happen again!
I was that child and when I look and see
I look in the mirror and that child is ME.

Josephine