Nothing Stuff

The hardest thing
‘bout child abuse is
If you tell
You’re ostracized.

I told mother;
Her eyes closed
and
opened naught
for
two whole years
but
By then I knew
if
I wanted to be heard
I talked about the weather
and nothing stuff.

I lay huddled in my wool blanket
I’m cold
I’m hungry
I lay listening to the February snow storm,
listening to the wind pulling the tent
and the snow pellets driving against
the canvas.
I’m so cold and hungry.
When I grow up
I’m going to feed my children
and
keep them warm.

Patricia Bear Claw
January 5, 1998

Being involved in the Survivor Monument Project has been a wonderful experience for me. Working with others of like background to erect a work of art that will be on display allows me to know that never again will child abuse be swept under the rug of secrecy. It exists! It acknowledges that and that makes it more comfortable in my mind. I hope it helps others in similar situations to find comfort that they are not alone - this project is breaking the silence.