I have lived all of my life with heartaches and pain, <br />A trying experience of distress, loneliness, and strain. <br />Years of abuse and ridicule that were definitely unfair, <br />And more prevalent than most folks could ever bare. <br /> <br />A life I lived in both a physical and emotional muddle, <br />My mind filled with anxiety - my heart on a path to crumble. <br />Since birth I dealt with outbreaks of debilitating health, <br />Though I worked every day, I never gained much wealth. <br /> <br />Some folks I encounter seem to look down on me as less, <br />In order to survive I tell myself, ' I am as good as the rest.' <br />I was always told to ' grit my teeth and knit my brow, ' <br />But for some unknown reason I could never learn how. <br /> <br />I sob every night beneath my bed covers in the dark, <br />And recall some of the ruthlessness and an obscene remark, <br />But each morning I arise to face the day to do my best, <br />Still the harder I work I am not treated like the rest. <br /> <br />It is if I were born gross, disfigured, and scarred, <br />The utmost of evil, disgusting, stained and marred. <br />My friend once told me, ' You may be snake bit.' <br />Hang in there, and whatever you do, ' Don't ever quit? ' <br /> <br />So with encouragement and prayer on my journey of life, <br />My fortunes will turn around and stray from worldly strife. <br />I will function with honesty and integrity and will be true <br />To both my family and friends and this is what I aim to do. <br /> <br />For now I'll try believing in myself with faith and hope <br />And pray each day to God for the strength to always cope <br />As I continue to encounter problems that may never wane. <br />I know in due time God's blessings will cleanse me of pain.<br /><br />Joseph T. Renaldi<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-painful-journey/
