No Shame

When I was a little child, I’d escape into my head
And into the heads of authors through the magic words I read
I’d be many different people, each one braver than myself
Then I wouldn’t feel his weight and I wouldn’t hear them yell
When they asked me at the shelter, if my father touched me there
I dreamt with my eyes open, mute I shook my hair
The truth was just too painful and I did not trust their care
Only years and cities later could I lay the facts out bare
He took from me ten years of childhood, spent three years in jail at most
How can a country’s code of justice be such a world away from just?
Mother says she still loves him, tells me that I’m doing fine, that he needs
her more than I do, so I really should not mind
Now I’m supposed to be all grown up, I escape into these songs
I still hide inside those books when I’m really feeling down
Shame like a stalker haunts me he may never go away
But I won’t be sad, I won’t be silent, I won’t let him steal my joy
When he tells me I am worthless, I sing out anyway
I won’t be sad or silent I won’t let him steal my joy
He tells me I am worthless, but I sing out anyway
I won’t be sad I won’t be silent I won’t let him steal my joy
I won’t be sad I won’t be silent I won’t let him steal my joy