by Margaret Jamal

Created on: January 04, 2009

WHEN GIRLS DON'T TELL

1. When girls don't tell, many times it is the shame

Or because they cannot name

The thing to tell.

What is it called?

2. When girls don't tell, it could be that they're afraid

Not knowing what would then be said

By the hearer of their terror.

3, When girls don't tell, it's not because they want to hide it.

It certainly isn't due to pride.

They feel so low and sometimes dirty.

4. When girls don't tell, many times they fear rejection.

They are afraid of harsh correction

That the hurter warned would come.

5. When girls don't tell, they may be sorting the confusion

Hoping it was an illusion

That would disappear forever.

6. When girls don't tell, it's not because they never tried

What if others think they lied?

It would hurt more than the act.

7. When girls don't tell, they think it would betray a friend.

Even worse when they're some kin.

Was it bad enough to tell?

8. When girls don't tell, many start to blame themselves.

It must be me cause no one else

Has to have this done to them.

9. When girls don't tell, just the thought is too disgusting.

Hurt by people that they trusted.

Who can be trusted enough to tell?

10. When girls don't tell, they are learning to accept

How long the secret has been kept.

It has to keep a little longer.

11. When girls don't tell, they really want someone to know;

Someone to share who won't expose them,

Once they really know the truth.

12. When girls don't tell, some have sunk into denial,

Tossed their pain into a pile,

And ignored how much it's growing.

13. When girls don't tell, they may have found their own escape

If it felt good is it rape?

It isn't real. It can't be real.

14. When girls don't tell, many turn to being angry.

Someone forced them into shame.

They did not want it, but they did it.

15. When girls don't tell, they don't know what to believe.

The mind fights to not conceive

That anyone could be so bad.

16. When girls don't tell, they have made a different world

One that protects each little girl

From growing up to soon.

17. When girls don't tell, they long for the invitation

To broadcast the revelation

SOMETHING VERY BAD HAS HAPPENED!

18. When girls don't tell, they have started to lose hope

No one cares enough to notice

Something's wrong and very wrong.

19. When girls don't tell, many try not to relate

To the way they learn to hate.

They hate the world for being ugly.

20. When girls don't tell, they may try to just forget it

People might just think they let it- happen

So they think silence keeps them safe.

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