The Faceless Ones

For all those who were abused and are silent.
For all the young ones who were forced through terror to become self reliant.
For all those who are torn and are broken into compliance.

For all those who bow their heads in undeserved shame.
They are the faceless ones among us, the ones without any names.
I am not one of you, I have not felt your pain.
Have not lived in bloody fear, or shivered alone in the rain.
But I write this for you, to give you a voice.
To let the unuttered words be perceived, to give others a choice.

Of whether they will turn away, and shut their eyes as they insist it isn't their fault;
Ignore the bruises they see on your innocent faces, and tell themselves to disregard the assault.
Or if they will stand up, and open their arms.
Be there to help, and let your grief break their frozen hearts.
To give them the chance to listen, the chance to hear.
The opportunity to be someone you can turn to without any fear.

This is for all the children who sit silent with anguish filled eyes.
Huddling in terror, hiding inside dark corners as silent tears dry.
Hoping they won't be seen, that the rage will pass them this time.
That if they are quiet enough, the pain will be denied.
For all those without names, who we pretend do not exist.
For all the faceless ones who cry for help inaudibly, and are the pleas that so many times, we miss.