Silent Voice
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A child
Unseen.
Yet always present
A silent voice
Screaming for attention.
A silent voice
Heard by a mother’s
Shattered heart
Crying enough for two…
Reaching out
For a child
So close
Yet ever so far away
So far away…
His laughter
She longs to hear
His small body
She longs to embrace
With a mother’s touch,
A mother’s kiss.
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Memories…
Hope…
A starving mother’s diet
She does not forget
She does not ignore
Her child’s
Silent voice.
Caught in the middle
Of a spurned lover’s
Revenge
Of an attorney’s
Arrogance
They have forgotten
They have ignored
The child’s
Silent voice
Crying out in the night
Only asking to be held…
To be loved…
To be heard.
A child’s
Silent voice
Still searching…
Still longing…
Still waiting. |
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This poem is based on an on-going case that
has yet to be resolved. Of course, the anonymous attorney I mention is
certainly not one of the dedicated attorneys here at MidPenn, who have just
been absolutely wonderful as professionals and great as mentors. I was just
rather appalled at the behavior of this particular lawyer, who seemed so
determined to “win” that the best interests of the child involved were not
deemed a priority, or even considered important to him/her. And although
that attorney will never lay eyes upon this poem, I wrote it to serve as a
lesson for both me, and current and future attorneys: Do not let one’s
competitive nature cause one to lose sight of what is truly important in
custody cases. I guess that lesson can apply to any field of law – and
even to life itself. It is just a pity that an innocent child has been
caught in the middle of such a battle, and is being denied the chance to
develop a loving parent-child relationship with both of his parents. I can
only hope that my poem has a happy ending…
Of course, leave it to me to write about the one negative experience I
have had thus far! This poem is not indicative at all of my summer.
I have learned so much during my weeks here at MidPenn Legal Services. I
have had countless experiences – both positive and otherwise – and others,
including myself, have watched in amazement as I grew and matured. I walked
into MidPenn Legal Services as a student who did not know much of anything,
and I am certain that I will be walking out of MidPenn replete with
confidence and knowledge. And I have never been so organized in all my life!
I love the added responsibilities that I have. No fetching coffee and being
hidden in a library for weeks on end here. I would not trade my summer here
for anything, and I thank Legal Services and the Martin Luther King
Fellowship program, in particular, for giving me the opportunity to
contribute to providing legal assistance to the Cumberland county community.
Shaleeta Washington
Martin Luther King Intern 2003
MidPenn Legal Services
Carlisle, PA |
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