I Learned to Be Quiet

I learned to be quiet
When I was a child
At home with my mother
Whose words were not mild.

The sting of her comments
With harshness of tone,
Destroyed my self-image.
No love ever shown!

My father was "absent"
Though often nearby
With booze so I never
On him could rely.

I've struggled and struggled
To escape all those years,
Dragging the shackles
Of pain through the years.

The journey was bumpy
And so, I still pray
For faith to continue
With hope that won't stray.