What love I built with loving words
I quickly tore apart
Like daggers they have pierced your soul
And hurt your loving heart

In anger I lashed out at you
It wasn''t my intent
What others say, and what they do
Has caused this awful bent



My soul is kind, I think you know
The sorrow that I feel
I hurt your heart, there''s no excuse
I hope that it can heal

I speak with words so tenderly
But now I look the fool
Words that can inspire love
I used as hurtful tools



You may forgive, and might forget
Because you''re kind at heart
But hurting you just haunts me so
Your heart I''ve torn apart

I''m sorry, please just understand
It tears me up inside
That I would say such words to you
To try to hurt your pride



They say time heals, I hope it''s true
My fondest wish to be
That you''ll one day forgive my words
And go on loving me

P.S.
Emotional abuse, inflicted by a trusted adult, can shatter a child''s self-image and leave scars that last a lifetime.

"Sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me!" Unfortunately, that childhood refrain couldn''t be further from the truth.

Think of what happens when some harried and thoughtless adult flings words like these at a child: "Hey, stupid, don''t you know how to listen?" or "You''re worthless; why don''t you find some other place to live?" or "You disgust me; just shut up."

Sometimes it''s an unending refrain like, "I wish you were never born," "You''re more trouble than you''re worth," or "You can''t do anything right."

The words may be uttered by any adult--a parent, teacher, favorite relative, even a Scout leader. Coming from a trusted adult, they can hit as hard as a fist, sometimes much harder. No bones are broken, but the words leave vicious emotional scars. Inflicted repeatedly for months or years, the bruises heal slowly and can shatter a youngster''s self-image, turning the child into an emotional cripple for life.

Children pay a terrible price for emotional abuse from parents and other adults. Some live with bursts of rage every day or wild mood swings. Other children get no attention at all, even when they most need a hug or a caring word. Children need to feel cared for and safe. And they need to feel worthwhile.

The many forms of emotional abuse all have this description in common: The victims are children, their personalities have been attacked, and sense of personal value is undermined. They are left feeling unloved, unsafe, and not worthwhile.

In the last decade we have learned that emotional abuse is deep-seated, widespread, and preventable. This article answers the most-asked questions about emotional abuse, including what it is and isn''t, why it happens, and what can be done about it. We also offer tips to help adults avoid being emotionally abusive, as well as suggestions for talking to children who have experienced emotional abuse.

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