FAIRYTALE


It was a day just like any other day.
The child was not allowed out to play and romp.
The parent thought that he was protecting little Joey,
protecting him from being hurt.

Because little Joey's parent did not want him to be hurt,
little Joey couldn't tell anyone how he felt.

When little Joey wanted to create with words and pictures,
little Joey's parent wouldn't let him,
because he didn't think that little Joey could create
words and pictures that others wouldn't laugh at.
And little Joey's parent didn't want little Joey to be hurt.

When little Joey observed something,
little Joey's parent wouldn't let him say anything
because he didn't think what little Joey had to say was important
and he didn't want little Joey to be hurt.

When little Joey wanted to express love and compassion,
little Joey's parent wouldn't let him,
because he didn't want little Joey to be hurt.

When little Joey wanted to say something spontaneous,
little Joey's parent wouldn't let him,
because he didn't want little Joey to be hurt.

When little Joey was excited
he wanted to jump up and down, and tell everyone,
but little Joey's parent wouldn't let him,
because he didn't want little Joey to be hurt.

Little Joey's parent kept little Joey locked up,
because he didn't want little Joey to be hurt.
Little Joey's parent thought he was loving
because he thought he was protecting Little Joey.

Little Joey's parent thought it was loving because
when he was little he was told by those who loved him
that he shouldn't feel certain ways.
That if he showed love he would be hurt.
That if he were compassionate he would be used.
That his creativity was non-existent.

He was told that what he had to say was not important.
He was told that he wasn't good enough.
He was told that to be angry is wrong.
That to take care of self is selfish.
That to be excited is childish.

Little Joey's parent knew what is was like
to be vulnerable and hurt,
and little Joey's parent didn't want little Joey
to be vulnerable and to hurt.

And so little Joey was kept a prisoner by his parent
and as a result little Joey's parent never felt
whole, and little Joey lived in isolation.
Neither little Joey nor his parent
lived happily ever after.


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