Family Values

FAMILY VALUES

Abortion, adoption alcohol abuse
children being called bastards
child sexual abuse, stubbing out
cigarettes on innocent skin
neglect, starvation, left alone in the dark
emotional "baggage passed from mother to child
pornographic material in full view of all
too many "uncles to name
are these today's family values
to bringing up well adjusted adults

no wonder I hang my head in shame

but it is not my shame I carry it is yours
I used to dream of how life should be
how it was before we were abandoned
and left to fend for ourselves
I understand your pain now
as a child it was too much
and should not have been my burden
but I loved you so

I comforted you as best I could
I tried to ease your burden
but you were weak unable to cope
which is no crime in it's self
you were proud wouldn't accept help
except from a stranger
a stranger who roamed the house
molesting your daughter who loved you so
you say you weren't to know
well sleep easy you know the truth to that
once I told you the truth sweet mother
you married him to keep him by your side at night
to love and cherish you.
in truth he was still abusing your daughters
you swallowed the bitter pills to escape
this mess which was none of your doing
but alas death did not come so swiftly
once more you reached out for comfort
and once more I took you in my arms
I loved you so

The abuse continued what can I say
you closed your eyes wishing it away
until one day he nearly raped me in front of you
you could deny the truth no more
reality was staring you in the face
you did the decent thing and phoned the police
was I to blame for marriage failure number two
I often wonder in your mind
did you resent me because you found yourself
without a man to share your bed
the abuse was never talked about
the shame would kill you
what about me mother dear
anyway it wasn't that bad, nothing major happened
after all you will never know
you will never know the horrors
that go through a child's mind
waiting in the dark, to be touched "down below
I was that child silently screaming,
hoping he wouldn't come
he did and touched that secret part of me
that was so undeveloped
it hurt so physically and emotionally
you will never understand
so mother pat yourself on the back
you did a good job you say
however, I see it in a different light
and I had hoped you would some day
realization is dawning
you will never see it my way
Mother I have to draw the line
and stop hoping that one day
I will reach out for comfort
and you will take me in your arms
and truly love me.