Broken Chains

 “Broken Chains”

By: Marsha D. L. Kelley

From parent to child the tradition is passed,

To spring upon another innocent generation.

Emotionally, mentally, and physically they suffer,

As the pain of abuse is shared without hesitation.

The search goes on from dawn until dusk,

For words of loving praise that will never come.

Trusting hearts of youth now age as shattered lives,

While the harshness of love can never be undone.

Fear guides the children through endless days,

As they struggle to do what they feel is right.

Keeping their terrible secret hidden deep inside,

Hoping for peace as they sleep into the night.

A quick thrash of pain can strike them down,

Regardless of how hard to please they try.

Always in doubt of what they have done,

They slink out of sight as they hide to cry.

Deep within their eyes the pain lives on,

Showing the scars of their hearts and minds.

Ruled by insecurity as anger marks them forever,

Passing on the horror of their parents’ crimes.

Children in desperate need of their parents’ love,

The love that is never seen until they are grown.

Too late to stop the old tradition from being passed on,

To each of their children they now call their own.

Within themselves they seek the truth of life,

For all they suffered and could not understand.

This is only a start in healing a shattered world,

That was dealt to them by their parents’ hands.

Focusing on the way they wished life had been,

Before their innocence was crippled with pain.

Unconditional love is the most important key,

To becoming the final link in a broken chain.