This is a prose poem that I wrote at the start of August 2017, as I was thinking about the innocence of childhood, of how that innocence is sometimes lost or brutally snatched away. I was thinking, too, of the archetype of the inner child. It’s the part of us that retains a child-like innocence and purity, that doesn’t always understand the ways of this cruel world. And as the thoughts swirled in my mind, this poem just….wrote itself. At least that’s how it felt! I wasn’t too sure about sharing it, but the more I read it, the more I knew that someone out there needed to read this too. So, here it is.
This is for the crying child, for the abused child, for the child who never felt understood, for the child who never felt loved.
This is for the loved child, for the treasured and protected child, for the one who felt comforted and nourished, for the one who felt a sense of belonging.
This is for the in-between child, the one who felt loved and misunderstood, cared for and punished, protected and scared, nourished and hungry.
This is for the small child, the teenage child, the adolescent child, the big child, the old before their age child.
You were never unloved. You were never abandoned. You were never forgotten.
Things may have happened that you didn’t understand. You may have felt unloved and forgotten. You may have felt unwanted and maybe even defeated. You may have had to dim your light, keep quiet, walk on eggshells. You may have been loved, you may have been abused. It may have seemed horrific.
But you were never unloved. You were never abandoned. You were never forgotten.
Why, you may have asked a thousand, million, countless times. Why, you may have cried and screamed. Why, you may have begged for an answer. Why, you may have whispered as you lay there frightened and broken and alone.
The answer to each why is unique. The answer to each why will be revealed. It may feel like a travesty, but you will be able to look back and see the larger plan, the bigger design, the greater scheme.
From the ashes of that why arises an activist. From the ashes of that why arises an artist. From the ashes of that why arises a writer. From the ashes of that why arises a poet. From the ashes of that why arises a singer. From the ashes of that why arises a tender soul, ready to blaze a new trail, shine a light, raise a voice, thunder out against injustice, raise the call for better laws.
There are some who never arise from the ashes of that why. You think they are nameless, faceless, forgotten. But they have started their own quiet revolution – in their families, in their communities, in their villages, towns and cities.
Not all whys get a satisfactory answer sometimes. But every individual soul gets an answer to their why.
I hope these words bring you comfort. I know I have found power and solace in them as I have navigated through a particularly trying time these last two months. xox
Yes dear …… you words brought peace to my mind for sure. Mind blowing post, indeed. Thanks dear for sharing.
Thank you for your kind words Vasantha. 🙂
Beautiful! Not every why might get a satisfactory answer but they have started a quiet revolution! Loved it
Thank you, Neha!
Thank you for sharing your poem. It touched me. I often ask why. Even though I don’t have the answer to my question, I hope I am rising from the ashes anyway. <3
You are….we are….we all always are. Sending you love! <3
This is beautiful Shinjini. Now when I see form here, I have answers to every why. True that. You have portrayed it so well. I think every child should read that and those who can’t read- should be assured that.
Thank you so much! I was so unsure about sharing this, but I’m glad I listened to my intuition and posted it.
This post needs to be shared and reshared. Profound thoughts and words, loved it.
Thank you so much!! xx
OH wow! That is beautiful! I thought of my own inner child and how young I was when my innocence was snatched away from me in such a cruel way. It’s why I suffered from depression my whole life and it’s why I will always, to some degree, have some level of PTSD but from the ashes arises… That’s exactly what happened to me. Thanks so much for writing this. I am feeling very inspired by this:) #mg
I am so glad to hear that! Sending a big wave of love to your inner child. And so much love to you, for rising up from the ashes.
And this just came through for you: “Be bold and brave. No act of cruelty has the power to keep you small or down. You have the power to rise above it all. Believe it, and it shall be so.” xx
This is so beautiful and powerful x
#Mg
Profound and powerful. I’m glad that you decided to share this prose poem. So well written, Shinjini.
I could connect with it from the bottom of my heart. As a child or as a young lady, I used to have a lot of “why”. These “why” had a struggle laced with them! But those made me who I am today. Now in the hindsight, I can say that I was never unloved, abandoned… I was always put on the right path!
A profound poem…a true reflection of life!
– Anagha From Team MocktailMommies
https://moderngypsy.in/2017/09/11/hope-for-the-inner-child/
This is powerful . I don’t know what else to say. Thank you. Pen x #mg
Yes these word are very comforting. Also I hope some day my kids also read something like this when they are grown up and understand me better. Thanks for this lovely post
So true. Not every ‘why’ gets an answer, but it does find its purpose in life as the battered soul walks along the rough path. A purpose to help those in a similar situation, battling similar demons.
Beautiful poem, Shinjini!
I believe that from the ashes of me rose the writer. I sometimes grieve for that little girl I was, the girl that became broken, but now she is stronger and she fights for herself. This piece was truly amazing! I am so honoured you share this with #mg thank you xx
This is awesome..All the lines are so beautiful!!! I personally feel childhood plays an important role in a person’s future life!!
Beautiful Piece.
“From the ashes of that why arises an activist. From the ashes of that why arises an artist. From the ashes of that why arises a writer. From the ashes of that why arises a poet. From the ashes of that why arises a singer. From the ashes of that why arises a tender soul, ready to blaze a new trail, shine a light, raise a voice, thunder out against injustice, raise the call for better laws.”……sums up all of us.
Love
P.
I have been through a lot in my childhood and often had these questions but a sense of assurance helped me to over come my fears and struggles. It turned my life around. This post is quite inspiring i must say! Keep writing and Keep inspiring!
Loved reading it. Powerful and lovely ! just amazing !
This was just so beautifully worded, very simple and meaningful.
“You were never unloved. You were never abandoned. You were never forgotten.”
That’s something that’s needed to be heard at times. Like Vasantha told, it brings peace. 🙂 Thank you, Gypsy.
Wise words Shinjini. Looking within ourselves for the answers we are seeking is the only way forward .
At some point in our lives we’ve all asked ‘Why’. Sometimes we’ve found an answer sometimes we haven’t. I love your thought of using the Why as a stepping stone and making something out of it.
Very soothing lines. Even though the Why may be unanswered, but we find some purpose still.
“This is for the loved child, for the treasured and protected child” – describes my childhood perfectly!
Beautiful words, touch your heart directly – powerful
Wow!!! Shrinjini, just beautiful. Thought provoking ! I am saving this to be read daily.
“From the ashes arises …. ” just wonderful
So poignant, yet so wise! What a lovely poem, Jini. Truly beautiful!
Kohl Eyed Me
Something’s Cooking
Shinjin, that was powerful. Yes we all will eventually find answers to our why’s. Thanks for such a thought provoking piece.
I absolutely agree with this Shinjini. Every why has a an answer we just need to be alert and watch around. I have tried so hard and found the reason for my living on this Earth.
We all have our questions, we were stuck with it consciously or subconsciously. This post really connected and gave peace, like answers to those thoughts.
Whoa!! What a strong, fulfilling, peace and love generating post, Shinjini!!
From the ashes to that why arises a writer! Wow! This post is going to stay with me for a long long time!!!
Touched so many cords with his poem. Why is question that is tough to answer.
A beautiful poem. Such strong emotions – We all feel like this one or the other time, and ask questions. To rise someday from the ashes is the ultimate wish we have for ourselves and many. I hope we can find the answer to the many Whys which plague us as we still remain a child in a part of our hearts & minds.
Your pen has bleeded the truth of human life. You’re awesome. Thanks for sharing.
This is a powerful post, leaving so many questions unanswered and so much curiosity arisen.
You write so well . And your prose touched me. While I am exploring Alexa with my food blog , my personal blog called mylifemystories.com had just the same thoughts this last week . I shall be reading more of you. Happy to have connected with you.
This post is like a breath of fresh air. Thanks for putting this into words.
It feels like after a long time I am reading such a wonderful post ! Keep writing, I adore your style of narration and I can feel the depth of the words ! Cheers !
Amazing how this resonates with so many of us, MG. I can honestly tell you, that I’m still struggling to find the peace that your words are full of. I’ll get there eventually. I know I will. Thank you for diving deep and give us the space the do the same.
Synchronicity is such a blessing and finding your poem is definitely an example of that.
This holiday season, I realized why the holidays have always been so difficult for me. Forty six years ago, the holiday season of my 12 year began a four year cycle of almost daily abuse. I knew the abuse happened, but hadn’t been able to acknowledge the season of it’s beginning.
This holiday season I am moving towards healing that; reconnecting with and nurturing that child that I was and gifting her with what feels like liberation and is definitely healing.
Your poem is beautiful, so full of truth, light and love – and I thank you for the gift you’ve given. I’ve found in my own life that gaining the courage and strength to speak my own pain and traumas helps to not only transform my own life, but shines a light that can help others to heal as well. I think that we’re kindred spirits in this, along with uncountable others.
Thank you!
I wish you all the very best on your healing journey! Inner child work can help tremendously with dealing with trauma. I’m blessed to be able to work as a channel for some of this wisdom to come through and to share it, knowing that it will touch whoever it needs to touch, whenever the time is right. xox