Hush Now Child

Terry Hopper

Luton, Bedfordshire

UK

Sleepy head with eyes a blur
led by hands both lords and Earls,
Risen in the dead of night,
from slumbered sleep, to electric lights,
Dressed for bed not time to play,
Silent whispers come their way
Hush now child, don’t be afraid
The deal is done the fee’s been paid

The man he smells of drunken bars
late night debates and stale cigars
His touch it leaves me cold and frigid
caressing me intimately with yellow digits
Paraded round, I’m the victor’s prize
Bribed with sweets and vicious lies
Hush now child, don’t make a sound
As he has my hands all taped and bound

And as the tears they stream on my face
His belt his trousers and shoes unlace
The darkened room, the bed I fear
Lustful looks and dirty leers
Slobbering, drooling, agony and pain
Slaps and beatings, I cry in vain
I’m passed around from pillar to post
Here them cheer, here them boast

Clock stands still, the minutes pass
But I know this time, won’t be the last
A special child, the pretty one
Someone’s daughter, someone’s son
And as the years have left their scars
The abusers leave in chauffeured cars
Back to the commons and family life
Back with children, and a loving wife

The civil service and MI 5
Hiding secrets they contrived
Blame each other for their crimes
Dam the tabloids, the ‘accusing headlines’
The establishment hides its dirty stains
With dementia and ‘lost’ files it duly feigns
The wounds are open, out in the air
No more visitors to Dolphin Square

So tonight as you lay your kids to sleep
Think of those who gently weep
For those whose screams couldn’t be heard
Silent victims without a spoken word
The time has come to name and shame
The time has come to lay the blame
Free the children and break the chains
Heal the wounds and ease the pains

Bio: Terry says this poem is about the stolen innocence of a child.