Take Courage

To lose your innocence as a child

To have nowhere to go, to cry, to hide

To live in fear, bereft of love and care

To have self esteem stripped and laid bare

For parents who missed the signs of abuse

And believed the child difficult and obtuse

For priests who live to support others

Who've been betrayed by priest-less brothers

Take courage

The years of hurt are laced with shame

The anger misdirected to hold your game

The loss of ability to relate

The loss of children as they escape

The bewilderment of loved ones as they see

The loss of person, who you want to be

The pain increased with pain relief

Of drugs, drink, depression and grief

Take courage

You have taken a road less travelled

And allowed your past to all unravel

You've opened up the wound of pus

You've told your stories to all of us

Take courage

As other victims learned of your fate

It allowed them finally to relate

To know the past on which they dwell

Sharing can help, the fear dispel

The web of shame has been broken

You have done this when you have spoken

Take courage