Dear Grandfather

By Louise A. Stevens (Pineau)

Three family members were never aware of
The secret going on in the living room chair
Hush, granddaughter, do not speak
I cannot, grandfather; you leave me too weak
Why, grandfather, are you doing this to me?
You are more special, dear, than my other three
This does not feel good, this is not right
Keep silent, granddaughter, it will be all right
I realized one day it was all too real
No one would understand the way that I feel
The cross my grandfather gave me to bear
Had suddenly one day turned to despair
I told no one for years, not even my spouse
How could this have happened in my very own house?
My very own image I could not see
Who is this child? Could this be me?
My feelings of unworthiness gave me no reason to live
I felt it was over, what more could I give?
My mouth is wide open, though not for your kiss
No child should keep silent; no child deserves this
Your dirty little secret I will not keep
You see, grandfather, now I can speak
The life of this child will never be the same
The child told no one and now lives in pain
I struggled for years with my low self-esteem
I always felt dirty, now I am clean
I am the victim; I feel no shame
He is my grandfather. He is to blame
The drug I used to escape the pain
No longer controls me; I now hold the reins
My tears of sadness have now turned to joy
My feelings of emptiness, I now have no more
Now I take pills daily that help me to smile
I struggle with feelings of this sad little child
I still can hear him whisper my name
His breath and mine were once the same
His hands no longer on my chest
His hands forever laid to rest
The wounds will heal, but leave scars to see
This time everyone will hear about me 
Be careful my children of impending danger
The person you love could just be a stranger
Be careful of strangers, you must never go near
Run my child, your grandfather is here