The Pledge Poem by Keri Jopplin

God gave us life the miracle of birth,
A reason to live for what it’s worth.
He carved our bones, mountains and rivers;
Gave us mommies and daddies that give me the shivers!

Our trust turns to fear and the crime takes its toll.
It batters our mind, our body and soul.
We haven’t sinned, the first was Eve;
Because of a fruit I continue to grieve.

Our trash doesn’t generate on streets alone;
It fills our lives and follows till we’re grown.
Isn’t he the superior, this species called man;
Leading our country and ruler of plan.

We learn to accept the grossness of his play,
A vile to face and live with day by day.
To demean a creature that God had made.
He attacks the child that Heaven has laid.

God isn’t to blame is what they say,
So why does it continue even when I pray?
I ache with memories and my pain runs deep,
My days are shadowed and at night I weep.

The abuser becomes the destroyer of love and peace,
For his desire and sexual release.
God gave us beauty for all to behold,
“Keep America Beautiful”, We are told.

God blessed “America” but why not me?
I got a step-dad that wouldn’t let me be.

Keri Jopplin
3/7/1991
Revised; 10/9/02
Copyright ©2011