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Larry C
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0 posted 2002-03-19 10:44 AM


A Prayer for Her
By Larry Chadwick

I have a friend who has been hurt,
And I don’t’ know what to do.
All that’s left is my helplessness,
Knowing what she’s going through.

I have reasoned every way I can,
And it all seems to no avail.
Her problems are so bad,
That mine just seem to pale.

How can life be so cruel,
To those who are so kind?
And those who act this way,
Are clearly out of their mind.

If I had the power to fix all of this,
And make things work out fine.
He would have no peace at all,
For he would be doing time.

But I find that I am powerless,
Except for the love that I share.
I don’t know what else to do,
So I’ll just show how much I care.

I view this through my broken heart,
And the pain I saw tonight.
Sadness overwhelms me,
As she still lives in fright.

Her guilt is such a cross to bear,
For it’s carried by the wrong one.
Her scars that she will hide,
Are for the power he has won.

But the children have no choice,
As their father punishes her.
Staying somehow for their sake,
His legacy that it will ensure.

But how can I condemn her,
For wanting what’s not there.
Reaching for life’s beauty,
That he won’t let her share.


Damn him for his power,
That he holds sway o’er her.
God bless her for her intent,
And what she must endure.

Still I wish I had the right,
To take her so far away.
Where life would be alright,
And the girls could safely play.

Regrets are hard to share,
They have to be your own.
And “if onlys” can’t be sold,
Where courage must be sown.

My deepest earnest prayer for her:
Is that her guilt will go away.
That she will find the strength,
And make the choice not to stay.

March 18, 2002

Everybody thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changing himself. Leo Tolstoy

© Copyright 2002 Larry Chadwick - All Rights Reserved
Seymour Tabin
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since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
1 posted 2002-03-19 10:48 AM


Larry C,
A good and honest write and I agree.

Silver Streak
Member Elite
since 2002-01-02
Posts 3625
FL, USA
2 posted 2002-03-19 11:39 AM


Larry, my heart is broken. Only Love can heal. And your love is a start. And I join you with my love.

We don't know the reasons for such suffering and sorrow. But I do know this. There should never be any guilt! Guilt and shame are just lies to control someone and keep them in bondage! God made every soul free! It's the only way we can focus on God. Otherwise, we hide. Always, the wrong thing to do!

And it is always tempting and easy for us to judge. Which I do not think we should do. But I do agree that it is always wise to separate souls from abusive sources. Love's purpose is never served by enduring abuse. And I believe that separating someone from an abuser to be necessary for personal safety and new peace of mind, and often also benefits the abuser. Thanks for your poem.  

((Larry))
-newell    

Sharing God's Love through perfectlovepoetry.com

Copyright: 2002 Newell Elsworth Usher

amigo
Senior Member
since 2001-10-12
Posts 520
the earth school
3 posted 2002-03-19 11:46 AM


Oh...if there can be so much of pain in words here, i can't imagine how much she must be hurting...i hope it is fictional, Larry, and if not, my sincere prayers are for all concerned....
His Poet
Senior Member
since 2001-12-18
Posts 750

4 posted 2002-03-19 11:51 AM


Larry, very sad but well written heart-felt poem. Until your friend releases quilt or blame, the only thing you can do is pray and be a friend. I once wrote a poem called "Battered and Bruised" that I think you might like sharing with her. Maybe I'll post it. Cheryl
Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
5 posted 2002-03-19 12:05 PM


My deepest earnest prayer for her:
Is that her guilt will go away.
That she will find the strength,
And make the choice not to stay.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think this last stanza sort of sums up what will in time occur Larry.  Women in an abusive situation have to make the choice to leave when they are able, and ready to.  In the meantime all we can do is be there for them with our love and support.  This is very well written and your friend is very fortunate to have you stand by her.  You have a very generous and loving soul.  Hugs.

Marsha
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since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
6 posted 2002-03-19 01:15 PM


Larry darling boy firstly you’ve written an absolute stunner here, the powerful and clear images of a life being strangulated by guilt and fear. These twin swords of doom that hold this soul in torment. Beautifully written and perfectly described, only someone who really witnesses this appalling distress can write of it this well.

Your friend is lucky to have you to aid her through this crisis of conscious, however as in all cases the end decision has to be hers. And until she makes that decision there is nothing you can do except give her moral support and love, and I can see you are already doing that. Truly this is wonderful darling boy utterly spectacular writing

I’ll add my prayers to yours too, may she find the strength to break away


Love and warm stuff
As always
Mushy

To give light to them that sit in darkness..... to guide our feet into the way of peace Luke 2:79


Larry C
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since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286
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7 posted 2002-03-19 02:34 PM


Sy,
Thanks.

newell,
Thanks for giving this so much thought. It just hurts, that's all.

amigo,
It isn't fictional )and if it were it is still real). And thank for your prayers. I can only imagine the pain. And I imagine from experience. Thanks.

Cheryl,
Thanks and please post. This is such a hard situation.

Nancy Lee,
This topic was a part of my social work experience. But now it is personal and so much harder to accept. I will always care. Thanks.

Marsha,
Thank you for your prayers. This is absolutely a challenge. It is not posted to bring attention to me but support for my friend all who suffer this so silently. I am so sad.

strbbux
Member Elite
since 2001-12-19
Posts 3859

8 posted 2002-03-19 05:39 PM


Larry this is so sad, and so well written. I can feel the helplessness you feel. Wanting to help but not being able to. And just what is the answer here? she must get her strength
and act on it. And all of her family and you my friend are in my prayers. floria

Floria

"Alas for those that never sing,
But die with all their music in them"
(Oliver Wendell Holmes)

Greeneyes
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since 2000-09-09
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In Your Poetic Mind
9 posted 2002-03-19 08:35 PM


Larry~

This just shows the heart you have....Peace to you....
Lauren~


Greeneyes~

Step through the
barrier of my mind,
enter my soul,
feel my desire,
let my eyes guide you
into the shadows
of my heart





[This message has been edited by Greeneyes (03-19-2002 08:36 PM).]

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
10 posted 2002-03-19 08:40 PM


Regrets are hard to share,
They have to be your own.
And “if onlys” can’t be sold,
Where courage must be sown.

You convey that pain so beautifully, and so meaningfully, Larry...that it just jumps off the page.
Your friend will certainly be in my prayers tonight.
I hope she will find the courage to leave that horrible situation soon.

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549
By the Seaside
11 posted 2002-03-19 08:45 PM


You've got such compassion Larry~
I love getting to know your heart through your words.  If only we could take away another persons pain and show them the way to the end of the rainbow.  

It's the little things that mean so much and I hope your friend takes comfort in this poem of yours.

Mistletoe Angel
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Portland, Oregon
12 posted 2002-03-19 08:57 PM


"My deepest earnest prayer for her:
Is that her guilt will go away.
That she will find the strength,
And make the choice not to stay."




(big hugggssssss) Oh Larry, this is so very sad, I too join you in your prayers to her, you are doing the best you can, for loving sand supporting her is the most wonderful thing you can do when she needs it the most, I hope that now she can have the strength to stand up and embrace hope once more soon! (sigh) My heart goes out to you always, sweet friend, God Bless your compassionate heart, we all love you so much! You  have such a beautiful heart, sweet Larry, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

13 posted 2002-03-19 09:05 PM


this shows your wonderful heart larry.  she is lucky to be able to call you friend.

On the wings of words our spirits fly....and our souls are free.
~Me~

(I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance~Garth)

baerlon
Member
since 2000-01-14
Posts 197
Youngstown and East Liverpool, Ohio, USA
14 posted 2002-03-19 10:16 PM


How can life be so cruel,
To those who are so kind?
And those who act this way,
Are clearly out of their mind

I love that verse, it asks the question i have been asking for awhile now.  I think writen a great poem here.  I hope everything works out and things change though.  

Oh thx for the post on my poem.

There's a peace inside us all
Let it be your friend
It will help you carry on
In the end
There's a peace inside us all
-Creed

Larry C
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286
United States
15 posted 2002-03-20 12:14 PM


floria,
Thanks as I know that helps. She will appreciate it too, I know.

Lauren,
Thanks and know that this is for her. For her heart is even bigger.

Lyra,
Your prayers, I'm sure, are appreciated. Thank you.

Lori,
I know she does...if only it were enough. Thanks so much friend.

Noah,
Thank you so much for your prayers as they matter.

Donna,
But it is her friendship that has so much meaning. Thanks.

baerlon,
It is such a difficult thing, isn't it? And thanks for your concern on this topic and the post.

[This message has been edited by Larry C (03-20-2002 12:15 AM).]

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