The Welcome Mat
Through growing years, when trust is forged, when love is absolute,
Some drift in tales of sorrow - left unspoken … rendered mute;
While many find a loving ear, to help them through their days,
A scattered few are lost in life, and struggle through the maze.
One infant lived through such a time, her memories ingrained,
From birth of day, her circumstance held solitary pain;
Too long, these mem'ries lingered in her wounded, heavy heart,
Unwilling to unleash the faded demons, should they part.
Not born into a world of love, no Welcome Mat was shown,
The front porch stoop was barren … t'was a "house", yet not a "home";
Abused by those within the walls - removed by Children's Aid,
She wandered through the system, all alone and so afraid.
She passed through homes with Welcome Mats placed neatly at their door,
Yet bounced from one and then another - never found rapport;
Her life of bitter anguish seemed to grow as she matured …
Her seed of trust, misguided by the hardships she endured.
She hid within her mind - contrived emotions, yet was numb,
And turned them inward, blamed herself, for all she had become;
Devoid of hope, she wandered through her frightening youth alone …
Each Welcome Mat, a bitter epitaph at every home.
'Twas not a soul that offered her encouragement or love,
They all gave up so easily … and when she pushed … they shoved;
How quickly they would pass her on - she learned their lessons well,
"Trust no one, and remember … you are "all alone" in Hell."
She exited the system, and moved on to build her life,
Relying on herself alone … her independence rife;
She built a wall of hate through fear … and practiced it with zeal,
Rehearsed her means of self-protection - too afraid to feel.
She turned away each friendly face before they could draw near,
And flashed back to her days of youth, her disillusion clear,
Convinced that no one cared at all, she went about her day,
Behind the fortress she had built … the "enemy" at bay.
She functioned in her daily tasks, but kept her feelings cold,
A show of warmth or friendship, brought on anger, truth be told;
Her barriers were strong and true, the doors she built were locked,
No Welcome Mat upon "her" porch … no answer if they knocked.
Her tactics worked for many years, until one fateful day,
A stranger walked into her life, though much to her dismay …
The skills she'd honed through preservation, met with strong resolve,
When paired against this angel who had dared to get involved.
She met them with resistance, fed through anger and through fear,
Suspicious of their interests, as intentions grew unclear;
The harder that she tried to push this stranger from her world,
The weaker she became, as strained emotions were unfurled.
This unfamiliar twist of fate, confused her hardened mind …
Encouragement and loyalty, were not for "her" to find;
She tried her best to fend them off, and yet they held their ground,
To try to break the barriers in which her heart was bound.
Regardless of her actions to rebuff this proffered hand,
The stranger kept it raised, oblivious to her demand;
This angel spoke of kindness, understanding, and of care,
Repeatedly, they spoke the words that until now … were rare.
Though promises she'd heard before were only meant to break,
This person's words held meaning, broke her down, and made her quake,
So many times she waited for their falseness to prevail,
Yet each and every time she found this angel did not fail.
No matter how unwelcoming she tried her best to be,
The love and kindness shown to her, remained persistently;
It took a mighty effort, but she slowly understood,
That friendship was attainable … and trust was something good.
Her life had changed immeasurably by someone who had cared,
Enough to show her she was worth what "she" had never dared;
This angel saw the good in her, the innocence and light,
Respected her for who she was, no matter what the fight.
Through actions of this caring heart, who never gave up hope,
She slowly learned to face her demons - how in life to cope;
She came to know herself "through" them - their bond of friendship grew,
The walls came down with massive force, and trust came flooding through.
The door she once had guarded so protectively, unlocked …
And there, behind her Welcome Mat … she answered friendship's knock.