Poetry by Vinnie

Paradox of the Abused
By Vinnie Nauheimer
Copyright © June 2002

I cry out for solitude
Yet yearn for a hug.
I build impenetrable walls
And wonder why I'm not loved.

My ego rises while my self-esteem falls.

I demand complete and utter control
Though chaos and confusion rule my soul.
I have taught myself never to cry
And if the dam breaks, it's goodbye.

I cling to life; yet want to die?

I remain invisible for everyone to see
Silently screaming, "Look what's been done to me!
I want the world to know my abuser's name
I keep my mouth shut while shouting the name.

I fear I am to blame so great is my shame.

See my cuts, my scars and my wounded soul,
But who will peer into that dark ugly hole?
That dark, ugly hole that houses my soul
Darkness needs only light to make it whole.

To step out of this paradox, this is my goal.

The Silent Scream
Vinnie Nauheimer Copyright © 2002

Hypocrisy in the Highest
By Vinnie Nauheimer
Copyright © June 2002

The common man makes a mistake
Leaving a tragedy in his wake
An angry public will scream and rail,
"Send the son-of-a-bitch off to jail!

Upon his bones the system will feast
Unless of course, the perp is a priest

Whence the debate? Why must it be
A man in a collar gets off Scott free?

On girls and boys it was open season
Holy mother church offers no reason.

Matter of factly hidden from sight
Contrary to all, ever deemed right.

This church upon God's law was built
Pride and arrogance causing it to wilt.
Covered up to save a rotting dime
Rape and abuse will always be a crime

Faith, trust and children all part of the heist
While hiding behind the forgiveness of Christ.

The noble Christ has died and risen
No mention of victims in their prison.
Holy Mother Church must be protected
All thoughts of a scandal soundly rejected

While the church was busy protecting her wealth
No thoughts were given to victims or their health.

Children robbed of their precious trust
Just to feed some lousy priest's lust.
Condemned for life to carry their shame
How was it done? Done in God's name.

Some years from now people will ask,
"Who were these bastards that failed at their task?

They rode in limos and their life was sweet
Totally forgetting that Jesus washed feet.
They'll go to their graves thinking their swell
And wonder why they're all burning in hell.

One Child More
By Vinnie Nauheimer
Copyright © June 2002

One child more, Just one child more
Then you can boot us out the door.
My bishops, Oh bishops protect your priests.
Blame the children those dirty little beasts.

Pointed hats all bobbed and weaved.
This was the plan they all conceived
Two strikes and the pedophile is out
Was the roar of a unanimous shout.

A wayward priest could have his fun
But now the limit is only one.
The bishops were right down to a man
The laity approved the awful plan.

Two forlorn children under a tree
In a fetal position crying, "What about me?
Do something more. Oh, do something you must
Our spirits are broken as well as our trust.

I'm the first victim, It's just not right
Forever haunted by demons of the night.
I'm the second victim, I cry, "Why?"
Why did it happen? Now I die.

I'm the first victim living in a shell
A void, a vacuum, a living hell.
I'm the second victim, for justice I thirst
Shouldn't have been another after the first.

We are all children, we are not the beast
Are we not worth more than a priest?
Obviously not, so sayeth the church
First and second forever in a lurch.

Priests, bishops cardinals, shepherds of the flock
It is the Founder's teachings that you mock.
One child for life, molestation will rue.
How dare you create opportunity for two?

My Child
By Vinnie Nauheimer
Copyright © July 2002

Bright shiny eyes always ablaze;
Life's little wonders ceaselessly amaze.
The whole world is a magical sight
Spirits soar and fantasy takes flight.

Smiling eyes so full of trust
Drawing faces in the dust.
Embracing life as they must
Living life with an innocent lust.

A radiant smile from a happy place
God knows how I love that face.
My innocent child steeped in grace
Then innocence fled without at trace.

Eyes that sparkled now turn away.
Gone is the zest for life and play.
A soul imprisoned in a tomb.
Eyes of fire now speak of gloom.

The eyes are nervous, shift and twitch
That lousy priest, that son-of-a-bitch
He dowsed the light in my child's eyes
Replacing the smile with tragic sighs.

He stole my child to feed his lust
He broke our souls and our trust
I sit in a corner alone and cry
Screaming at God, "Tell me why?"

Now I worry year after year
Where can I put this ungodly fear?
I pray my child your road you find
Before it drives me out of my mind.

Helpless, I watch you seek your way;
The road you walk, you must each day.
Know I am here with all my love
And pray for help from God above.