I’m lucky so I’m told only two residential homes.

This makes me so much better of than others with 

More moves, how could I moan.

 

I’m lucky so I’m told, floors of only two residential homes to scrub. My knees can’t be that sore or my hands split and bleeding, after all it’s only two residential homes.

 

I’m lucky so I’m told. My bed not made how I was taught or beaten to learn how to do it. So no breakfast for me or the others. Today we go to school hungry an worn down.

But still it’s only two residential homes.

 

I’m lucky so I’m told. Being cheeky to staff so made to stand in the hallway all night long. Freezing cold, legs so tired you fall down. An then made to stand in the matrons bedroom for the rest of the night, because you woke them up falling down. Still I’m lucky it’s only two residential homes.

 

I’m lucky so I’m told. Boot room duties today, all shoes lined in a row to be polished so you can see your face or the staff can. Because otherwise they are thrown outside just like you for failing to make them shine. Still I’m lucky it’s was only two residential homes.

 

I’m lucky so I’m told laundry duties today. Beds all stripped to the bone. The steam so hot in the air. Water in the sink burns the skin off your hands as you wash an soak the sheets all day long. Still it’s only two residential homes.

 

I’m lucky so I’m told being held down an beaten black an blue. Raped by older boys, taking turns on you against your will an wishes. No one can hear your screams of help as a hand is over your mouth. The other girls can’t save you they are hiding under the sheets thinking thank god it’s not them tonight. Still it’s only two residential homes. How could I moan.

 

Im lucky so I’m told I got fed, clothed an kept warm so don’t kick up a fuss. Your family would not do that, they don’t care that’s why your here. Still it’s only two residential homes.

 

I’m lucky so I’m told. I was heard talking in bed so I get pulled by the hair on my head, dragged down two flights of stairs an thrown down the third flight to the cellar, for talking in bed. Cold, damp, wet an alone scared an frightened. Still it’s only two residential homes.

 

I’m lucky I was only in two residential homes but the abuse, neglect, physical beatings, sexual assaults still left there mark on my body, mind, soul an memory. The .I’ve long impact. 

 

Still I’m lucky so I’m told. It was only two residential homes!

 

By Jackie McCartney 18 Oct 2021