Pain

I can't walk away

From this awful pain

But I cry out

Again and again.

I'm a baby sitting in a crib

This old man pokes with a cane

He pokes through my diaper

And I cry out again and again.

He grins with his missing teeth

He has white messy hair

Where is his loving wife?

The one who gives me care??

Mom, why did you leave me here?

Just because they call him Chief,

Didn't mean he'd act like one

I recalled this moment in grief.

When I hear his name today

I shudder in disgust

I have to do something

I know that I must.

Old man, you're gone now

And your dirty secrets too

It seemed no one talked

Of the hurtful side of you.

No wonder your son

Tried the same thing on me

But I was too fast and smart

With adult eyes to see.

Then your grandson rapes me

When I was a teen

I think of all the abuse

He must have seen.

There's no excuse for what you did

I was just a baby in your care

I throw the blame to you

Try hurting me, if you dare.

I'm wiser and older

I share my pain

I tell my story to others

I still cry out again and again.

-MJ-

(c) July 4, 2002