SADNESS
There’s sadness
In a soul, Lord,
Like a deep, dark
Empty well.
There’s a little girl inside
A woman Lord,
Aching, crying, with
No one to tell.
Her cell walls are dank
And chilling, Lord.
She’s frightened
And confused.
There’s a hunger deep
Inside her Lord,
To understand why
She was abused.
Can you help her feel
Your warmth, Lord?
She needs to know
You are so near.
Can you comfort her
And keep her, Lord?
You’re the only one
Who can erase her fear.
BETRAYED
He was her pastor, teacher,
Counselor and guide.
Thus when he betrayed her,
“Outrage!” people cried –
No, not at the betrayer;
They stood firm by his side.
“Forgive him,” people urged,
“For he’s God’s sanctified.”
Forsaken, and heartbroken,
She’s the one they’d chide:
“She must have done
The tempting –
He’s truly justified.”
Was it for crimes like this
Our Christ was crucified?
In christendom’s denial,
Can justice still abide?
Is there no place of refuge
For those betrayed to hide?
No hope of help or healing?
No arms that open wide?
Are the victim’s only choices
Hate – or suicide?
Why compassion
For the betrayer –
And none for the terrified?
Can’t someone
Reach out in love
And stand firm by her side?
His eyes were
Soft and sweet
As he invited me
To kneel and pray.
His hands were
Very large and comforting.
Can this really
Be happening?
Does someone really
Care for a
Fifteen year old girl
Dusty and dusty inside,
No hope of rescue,
It seemed impossible.
And yes, it was a ploy
Once again
To put the dirt
Much deeper inside!
Arms wide open
In a minister’s cape,
Somewhat like Superman
Who rescues and never deceives.
Silence was deafening
As he invited me in.
A superman,
On thought,
No harm could come
To this very young girl,
He rescues. No deceit.
I walked forward to
What would be a quicksand
Kind of hug, arms open wide
Inviting eyes
Large pulsating hands.
The closer he invited,
Not knowing the reality,
That stood before me.
Unknowingly accepting his invitation.
I melted with pain
As his hug turned to fright.
His hug was like knives,
Causing blood to spring out of
My body,
Taking away my soul
And bringing me to death,
Inside this golden invitation.
