Once More

For children who a parent has left them

It’s okay,
don’t be afraid.
I didn't set the hook,
no guilt
do I lay at your feet.
For,
Even without you:
I learnt,
to love me.
To see the gift,
I am.
I found strength
in my struggle.
I navigated deep water,
and made it to shore.
Swimming through a sea
of self-doubt.
My ever-decreasing hate,
now gone,
And hope has nestled in.
I see you in the mirror,
and I no longer look away.
Someday,
I’ll learn
to love you,
once more.

Reviews

[lightsong]

Wisdom drips from your words dear Cherrie, only someone who faced that kind of situation can write like this because You pointed out some very important ideas (self love- self worth- guilt) most importantly. to face the fear, to let go and forgive for the sake of growth and a healthy being. that is the most difficult. issues from childhood can stay a lifetime if not healed from the source and correctly. amazing piece my dear.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Well the perspective of this is my grandchildren.
It's a terrible loss when a child's pain cannot be healed. It can become a dangerous toxin that pollutes the soul.

[lightsong]

I am so sorry to hear this dear Cherrie, I send them many warm, loving and caring Hugs*** and please, tell them that from my expreience it is better to not have a mom than to live with an abusive one. I am happy that they have You as a loving Grandmother. may their souls be completely healed, may their hearts be filled and radiate with light❤️

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I have known several friends who had a parent leave them...
Most of them just became so much stronger, and some were able to forgive.
My mom could not forgive her father...i don't blame her....Parents are scum who abandon their kids.
j.

[William Michael Reeves]

Time heals. For grandchildren you are raising? Something to read to them when they understand. This is a poignant poem.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This reminded me of John Prine's song, "Unwed Fathers ". It's sad when any child has to grow up without both parents present. I know it happens a lot but it's still detrimental to development. A strong write. I enjoyed.

[Aura]

A child who's parent left them will often face many hardships, where they nit good enough? Was there something wrong with them? How much self doubt will they endure? What is important to know is that it was never their fault to start, it was their parent decision to leave and nothing they could do could ever change that. Casting blame onto one's self will not solve anything, and if is important to not blame their parent who left, it will only increase their sadness, and anger and its probably for the best, perhaps the parent is in a better place than they eoyld have been. Sad, and touching read of a person overcoming all of the sadness they endured, to learning to love the ones who left

[Cherrie Palmer]

We are raising two grandkids and it's for me to know all of their pains and sometimes I don't think they know all of their pains.

[Aura]

Oh I see. So was this also written from the perspective for kids who's parents also passed away? You were raising twins grandkids so the parents passed on?

[Cherrie Palmer]

No. Just parents that refused to grow up.

[Aura]

Oh I see. That's unfortunate to hear but your grandkids are in good hands and hopefully they'll overcome the struggles you described in your poem. They'll learn to forgive their parents but they'll be thankful to have grandparents to cares for them as if they were their own.