Ode To My Inner Child

When I was a child, I held back the tears,
but later they came, in young adult years.
I try to let go, to live and let life,
It took all I had to try and forgive.
He is but a man, a human they say,
Incest is brutal...
learning to live, took so many days.
The years now my autumn,
I have found peace.
I touch life with love,
and I no longer grieve.
When you see me now, and know this truth
you may wonder how, I survived my youth.
I tell you truely, I really don't know,
but, God has his mercies,and on us bestows.
I know his love, and his amazing grace.
And, through it all, I found my place.

Shirley F. Haley

published in:
The Best Poems and Poets of 2002


Posting this here for my own reference.