Shards Of The American Dream Litter The Ground Poem by Elizabeth Sheaffer

When I was born you promised to protect me
To keep me safe from all harm
As I grew, you became the enemy
But no one around would sound the alarm

As a child, you promised to love me
You turned to abuse instead
You beat me down to the dusty ground
Never gave me a chance to get ahead

I've been living a life that is based on promises
Promises, made as you wept
I'm drowning in a life based solely on promises
Promises, too often unkept

For a while, I thought it was normal
All fathers beat their children and wives
But my eyes were opened to allow me to see
You were ruining all of our lives

We got ourselves out of that hell-hole
Began our lives anew
But the memories still come back to haunt me
I can never completely forgive you

Living a life that is based on promises
Promises, made while you wept
Drowning in a life based solely on promises
Promises, too often unkept