I’ve known Monsters.
There was a boy. He was abused and violated. Grew to be a monster. Violent and abusive.
Locked up in prison, for hurting women and children. A convicted sex offender.
He raped my mother. He is my father.
I understand where he came from. There are no excuses for the horrors that he committed.
I love him.
There was a girl. She was abused and violated. Grew to be a monster. Violent and abusive.
She projected her hurt and anger, onto others. Like the man before her,
Targeting the vulnerable, and avoiding all responsibility.
She is my mother.
I understand where she came from. There are no excuses for the horrors that she committed.
I love her.
There was a boy. He was abused and violated. Grew to be a monster. Violent and abusive.
Used others to vent his rage on, his self-loathing and disgust. Afflicting power over like the two before him.
He is my stepfather.
I understand where he came from. There are no excuses for the horrors that he committed.
I love him.
There was a boy. He was abused and violated. Told he would grow to be a monster. That he would be violent and abusive, like those before him.
I vowed not to. Dedicated my life to facing my past, honouring the truth, breaking the cycles.
Went to therapy, changed my life.
I understand where I came from. There were never any excuses.
I love me.
There are children, boys and girls. Abused and violated. They know monsters. They know violence and abuse.
I work with them and their families, ensuring that their path will be different. That they have the love and self-worth that I and my parents never had.
I understand where these children came from. I show them that there are no excuses.
I love them.
With love
Tim
This article was first published on Facebook and Linkedin August 26, 2021.
Copyright© Tim Tipene, 2021.
