I was born in quicksand

I was born in quicksand.

I was born in quicksand.
You found me there,
thought you could save me.

So now, you are building a fine castle for me
using only the finest stone and craftmanship.
You are an excellent stonemason, 
even if others tell you that you are foolish for trying.
 
I often wonder when you will  decide
that love, passion, and talent
are just not enough to save me? 

Its not your fault, you know? 
You do know that, don't you?

No matter how strong your skills,
how good your materials,
how much you want to provide for me,
you still must watch me sink.
That can't be easy for you. 

Sometimes, the more you try,
the higher you build,
the heavier the weight
and the deeper I sink. 

I would fight harder, but you see,
the more I struggle, the quicker I sink. 
At least, that's what I know to be true.

Instead, I've learned to stand still, quiet,
so I can linger there in purgatory
my head just above the surface,
but still breathing. It has kept me safe,
or at least it has kept me alive.

I wouldn't blame you if you gave up? 
You do know that, don't you?

But maybe, instead, you could just
stop building for a while.
Pull up a plank of wood
and rest it gently upon the shifty sand.
Stay there, wait for me.

When I feel brave again,
I'll reach out to you.
I just might need a hand.

Remember, though, we must go slowly. 
I wouldn't want your pretty blocks
to tumble upon us, nor my quicksand
to enhale us both.

SWPoet
See below for details:

4-6-12

For more information on child trauma and brain function changes as result of trauma, see www.childtrauma.org (also has excellent caretaker information and mini-online classes.  For information on Attachment Disorder, check out the website www. ATTACh.org.