Member-only story
Life Betrayed — 2
A journey
Over the next 10 days, I will be posting ten connected poems about abuse and possible recovery. Some people may find the content confronting, even disturbing. It contains strong language and is emotionally charged. The content is not suitable for children.
Come look what I have found, my mother said.
I ran to her and there, way up ahead
a swarm of dancing sun-lit butterflies,
like magic flakes. Then, joined by dragonflies,
they rose amongst the shimm’ring leaves.
I pranced to where my mother stood. We then both danced
in joyous celebration of the day.
We swung around through flowers, that warm May.
My heart rose up to where the damsels flew
and joined them in their freedom. Then I knew
the bliss and innocence of being eight
and having so much life to celebrate.
[Daan Spijer asserts the moral right to be acknowledged as the author of this work]
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In Australia, help may be sought through:
- emergencies: call 000
- 1800RESPECT : https://www.1800respect.org.au : 1800 737 732
- Lifeline: https://www.lifeline.org.au : 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline : https://kidshelpline.com.au : 1800 55 1800
- for men: https://www.whiteribbon.org.au
