Upon a time.
Content note: Some poems in this collection explore themes of childhood abuse, trauma, mental health & recovery. While these pieces are deeply personal, they are shared with the hope of raising awareness, encouraging understanding & reminding others that healing is possible.
This deeply moving poem tells the story of a young child growing up in a world of neglect, abuse & loneliness. Through innocent eyes, it explores the devastating effects of childhood trauma, abandonment and the longing to be seen, loved/protected. A powerful reflection on survival, this poem gives a voice to the silent struggles of countless children & reminds us why every child deserves safety, compassion & hope.
‘Once upon a time- in a sad and dingey little home- lived a child, who was 5. She sat on her own and played all day- barbies were the only thing making her feel alive. She wrote down her feelings in a Micky Mouse notepad and prayed for someone to watch her exist. But nobody noticed, or heard her cries- she was simply a piece of dust amongst the mist. Her Mother left her, at 7 months old and her Father had lost his mind. Even though he brought her up and the only person she had, he really wasn’t ever that kind. He made her do things that she didn’t want to do- she tried to find someone who would care. So ran away 3 times but always brought back home- that ‘someone’ was never really there. She had a hatred for life and all that existed within, even though she was only 7. Dreamt about dying and never looking back- to her, that indeed was Heaven. At least then she’d be at peace- hopefully surrounded by love, from all those lost souls up above.’