Western town, unrenowned, shameful secret underground 
Stained forever, barbaric sin, a pious plot for innocents 
Cursed by clergy, State connivance, neighbour’s gossip, family silence 
Wonderful gift, shamed, hidden, nature shattered, unforgiven 
Abandoned by parents, scorned by lovers, entrusted to wanton Sisters 
Worked to the bone, lonesome for home, future trauma unknown 

Terrified girls, excruciating labour, no cool hands, reassuring vespers 
Sometimes death, sometimes alive, the former always disappeared at night 
Sorrow and horror in equal portions, beautiful girls left heart broken 
Weakened, longing, wailing for their young, spirit broken, subdued, done 
Say your prayers glorify God, the pain will cleanse, you deserve your lot. 

Little one adrift, unexplored world, paltry sum secures board 
Taunted, teased, bullied yet feared, kept from peers, ignorant unease 
Where did he come from, who were his people, don’t go near him, unknown diseases 
Exists in a dwelling, afraid to call home, no education, just on loan 

Depraved humans, without charity or grace 
An island people, inward face, protect our own, might be traced

By Joan Hardiman
If you’d like to read more of Joan’s poetry, her collection can be purchased here: My Serendipitous Life
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Join us in September 2024 for a series on Unravelling Shame – In this period between Lughnasadh and Samhain as we move from the light towards the darker half of the year, we invite you to join us to shine the light together into the darkness of the shame that we each carry.

We’d love it if you’d join us on this journey to unravel shame.

Contact @saoroexperience , @satnamtherapy or @michaelryan_thewayhome if you’ve questions or you’d like to get involved…