Category Poems and Writing

As part of the Unravelling Shame series in September 2024, we are encouraging everyone to offer land healing this month. Siân Williams has offered the steps she follows for this beautiful practice.

Shame tells us we deserve the pain that we have faced /
It lives deep within our bodies and over time takes up more space

Shame whispered lies, it called my name /
Made me believe I was to blame /   
But deep inside, a voice remained /  
A strength that couldn’t be contained

The shame, it crept across my face /
As suddenly, I fell from grace /
The innocence that once was me /  
Slipped away for all to see

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 

Seen never heard, shivering dread /
Sterile classroom, tedious curriculum /
Traumatised children, birth marked needy /
Cold hands reddened, overused weapon

For years now I have shamed /
The pieces of me that they named /
As unworthy, not enough /
Too loud, untamed /
I stand tall now /
No longer hidden /
By all they shamed /
And said was forbidden

So hush the voice that says you're wrong /
You're in the place where you belong /
For in your care, your child will thrive /
You’re more than enough, and you will survive

For though the past may hold its claim /
The soul can rise beyond the flame /
In time, the chains may start to fall /
And love and strength can conquer all