I’m the Kintsugi*
On the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse
One every fifteen minutes, that’s four an hour*
Ze* gets to know you, adds some humor
Ze gives you chocolates, gets close
Ze gets you to trust, becomes an overdose
I’m the engagement
.
One every fifteen minutes, that’s four an hour
Ze talks, touches and takes a body tour
Ze tests the waters subtly
Ze touches again, inappropriately
I’m the first touch
.
One every fifteen minutes, that’s four an hour
Ze engages, not letting communication sour
Ze plays the game, uses threat and bribe
Ze manages to conceal and I subscribe
I’m the secrecy
.
One every fifteen minutes, that’s four an hour
Ze takes the big bad step, to devour
Ze takes my brittle body for granted
Ze takes me, makes me feel unwanted
I’m the abuse
.
One every fifteen minutes, that’s four an hour
Ze is around, I’m made aware of his power
Ze is giving you nightmares; I’m scared
Ze is shiver; I’m in despair, unprepared
I’m the fear
.
One in every two, that’s half the children you know*
Ze is lurking, ever ready to reach a new low
Ze is mostly family or friend, plays with my mind
Ze preys, again and again, till I go numb and blind
I’m the recurrence
.
One in every two, that’s half the children you know*
It happened, what do I do, where do I go?
It is wrong! Is this fun? Is this pain, a game?
It is confusing; it’s me or Ze, what’s its name?
I’m the “I’m not too sure what this is”
.
One in every two, that’s half the children you know
It is abuse! I’m the victim, but the truth lies! No?
It is misuse of proximity, position and power
It sticks to me like rain clothes on my spine, I quiver!
I’m the abusee
.
One in every two, that’s half the children you know
It is shame that beckons, creeps on steady and slow
It is that alien finger that didn’t belong on my lips
It is the unheard void voice, all over me, that grips
I’m the silence
.
One in every two, that’s half the children you know
I can’t inhabit this wretched body, I want to Go!
I feel sick, like dirt, my body bleeds, it’s my sin
I pick my best clothes, the ones I want to die in
I’m the reaction
.
One boy for every girl! Abuse; that’s beyond gender*
I am older and want to heal, I surrender
I am in counseling, my skin, nights, and those fingers
I am tied, the blood, the fear! It lingers
I’m the memory
.
One boy for every girl! Abuse; that’s beyond gender
I finally accept it, and it sure wasn’t my blunder
I was bruised, only if my body could weave the story
I was lonely, friendless, led a life that was gory
I’m the child’s innocence
.
One boy for every girl! Abuse; that’s beyond gender
I was chewed and spat out, no wonder
I am seething, my eyes ember
I was strewn on the bed, stripped, I remember
I’m the anger
.
One boy for every girl! Abuse; that’s beyond gender
I am brave for speaking out, calling out the offender
I will say it loud, I was abused, there’s no shame
I was nine, I was a child, Ze is to blame
I’m the survivor
.
One boy for every girl! Abuse; that’s beyond gender
I own my journey and its current splendor
I was broken, I reached out, and that’s the clue
I am healing; I love ‘me’ the most! You must too.
I’m the Kintsugi*
References
1. In India, a child is sexually abused every 15 minutes, according to the latest government figures (link).
2. Ze is a pronoun used instead of “he” or “she” because it does not show a particular gender
3. According to a 2007 study conducted by India’s ministry of women and child development, 53% of children surveyed said they had been subjected to some form of sexual abuse (link).
4. More than half (52.94%) of those who reported abuse were boys while 47.06% were girls (link).
5. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with powdered gold.
