* Inner child *

When you find her,

hold her little hand.

She carried her sadness alone,

with no one there to soothe her pain. 

 

She cried in silence,

unseen, unheard

no voice to tell her,

It’s okay. You’re not alone. 

 

See her now,

with your mind’s eye.

Her heartbeat still echoes in yours,

her pain lives in the body you now carry. 

 

What would you say

to help her hold on?

To remind her there is hope

and that another day will come? 

 

Would you tell her

she will smile again?

That life will become something

more beautiful than she ever imagined? 

 

Would you sit beside her

until the pain felt a little less heavy—

shared, at last?

Would you kiss her forehead and say,

I’m so sorry for all that you went through.

You never should have had to carry that alone. 

 

Can you hold your inner child now?

Offer her the love, safety,

and tenderness she needed back then? 

 

She is still with you,

quiet but strong,

a little girl who learned to survive,

and who is so brave

for never truly hiding.

 

©️ 2025 Annmarie Brennan