You grow up learning

how wrong it is

to shout and yell and scream

Only children have tantrums

Adults don’t cry

Grow up! Behave!

Act your age!

 

Swallow it down

Swallow it down

You must be decorous, quiet and appropriate

Your cries echo only

around the inside of your skull

You wail silently

in the prison of your mind

 

All that hurt

consumed daily for who knows how long

becomes a bitter pill

that festers inside

sickness in heart, soul, mind

in body too

because it’s got to come out somehow

 

You need the touch

of a healing hand

You need the comfort

of strong secure arms

You need salvation

inside and out

 

Come Holy Spirit

Cleanse us and save us

Make us Your own