My Heart Is Bruised Black And Blue Poem by Leslie Ching

When I was little, I knew
That you could get a bruise from falling,
Or from being pushed down.
I never knew
That anyone could have a bruised heart,
But now I know better.
When I needed you most,
When I needed a shoulder to cry on,
You pushed me down and ignored me.
When I greeted you with good news,
When I greeted you with excitement,
You stabbed me in the back and hurt me.
The ignorance of small children is a bliss;
The knowledge of elders is a curse.
I had thought that you would be there for me,
That you would be there to help me up when I fell-
That was when I still had the hope of small children.
But my heart is already black and blue with bruises,
My mind doubtful with the experience of elders,
And now I know that you never cared about me.
(12/07/08)