The Making of Grace

drops of rain through leafy fronds
falling on her nose as she slept
on a reed mat under the mosquito nets
she dreamed of homes without leaky roofs

standing alone, tears cascading down her face
the school bullies just stamped on her lunch
it was just rice and a fried fish
she swore against hunger and poverty

her father lashed her with his belt
for staying late studying in the library
whore staying back in school with boys
the whippings and kicking strengthen her

enrolling in martial arts for protection
father kicked her senseless for tight clothes
she bounced around defenseless in silence
that night she packed and walked away

fifteen washing dishes for food
washing other people's laundry
sleeping on boxes spread together
she swore she would get an education

fast-forward and she was a radio deejay
spoke against sadness and loneliness
played songs by Black Sabbath
a lot of Guns and Roses, some ethnics

fell in love, battered, lost that love
cheated on, cheated with, hung up, hung over
father went to glory, she saw his grave
felt nothing at all just sadness

she learned forgiveness not forgetfulness
she knew kindness, goodness and love
she gave them back to those needy ones
who thrive in darkness as victims

she doesn't have a leaky roof
she has a mattress to sleep on
she has food three times a day
she is thankful for those everyday

thats the making of Grace
the dreamer who wishes for all things good
who hopes for all to be kind and loving
for she went through hatred and revulsion

The making of Grace who went through
agony despair disappointment victimisation
a child of pain, born of pain, uncared for alone
but now she loves all thats good and fair