NO MORE by J.M.                       Childhood                       was not like                       Redbook.                       Something clearly wasn’t                       right.                       Oh, no, you say,                       it was lovely. What                       could I be thinking?                       I’ve blamed my memory…                       but no more.                       As young kids, we couldn’t run                       (except to places in our heads)                       those lovely times you gave your children                       made us wish we were dead.                       You’re the ones who                       caused this pain;                       you dare call us insane?                       Maybe once we cared                       but no more.                       You just say                       it never happened.                       We’re so spiteful,                       won’t let go.                       Holidays would be a joy                       we’d be happy (you just know)                       the scars and screams, I guess                       would go away                       (if only we’d listen and obey)                       Well once you ruled our minds                       but no more.                       Some of us are did not quite make it                       just got too hard                       to hang on                       we count them                       as ones you                       murdered.                       You tell us                       ‘they had weak minds’                       Ah, with little kids,                       you’re so damn tough                       but we’re not still kids                       you frighten us                       no more.                       We can’t wash away the grime                       we can never reclaim what you stole                       But our eyes have opened                       there’s something you should know                       You really thought you had it made                       we were toys with which you played                       You thought you’d locked us in a box                       our voices silenced.                       You made sure                       we’d never talk.                       Guess what?                       We found the key.                       Our voices are silent                       no more.