Hand &; Heart

Children who have been abused or neglected have learned to mistrust
adults, however laudable may be their intentions.
A helping hand is more often bitten then grasped...

HAND &; HEART

Don't reach me,
Don't touch me,
Don't help me,
Don't harm me,
Don't pity and patronise,
Just understand.

I don't want advice,
or the latest techniques
of bullshit
or therapy,
Just hold my hand.

When I tell you,
Don't tell me
You know,
'Cause you couldn't,
And wouldn't
Believe
What goes on in my heart.

You may care,
And be clever,
But never,
Don't ever
Presume
To assume
You're important; you aren't.

You're nothing
And nobody,
Smiling
At somebody,
Playing the part
Of a child you once knew.

Joking,
Evoking,
Provoking
And choking
The hurt that I feel,
With your truth so untrue.

And just
When I trust,
It is gone
In a moment,
And I'll fly again,
All alone,
To my land

And my secret pretences,
And tears
Behind fences,
Protecting
The sadness
I can't understand.

So hear what I say
But be led
By the music,
That speaks for the words
I can't bear to agree.

And stay,
With my anger,
And hurt,
And rejection,
If only
To be there,
To be there...
... For me

Paul Styles