I thought readers may enjoy this poem I wrote recently about Ruth who has lived in Grace Home for the past 6 years. The Telugu version of the name for Ruth, is what I have used
RUTHU
She has no memory of any mother or father
Knows not from which village or town she came
Found herself living in the home of an officer
Cruelly beaten and treated as a slave
Forced to work hard from dawn to dark
Not a moment of comfort anyone gave.
At nights when the family settled to sleep
Ruthu lay down on the street with the dogs.
Relentless years passed by in pain so deep,
Broken, beaten, and dead inside.
What hope had a child to escape such a life?
At age of eleven, with a beaten hide
Ruthu decided she could take no more.
A tormented soul, confused and afraid,
Desperate to escape she ran out the door
Running as fast as her bare feet would go
Down dusty lanes, over rough country roads
Freedom beckoned and she wanted it so!
Hiding in bushes, afraid to come out
Where would she go? What should she do?
In the morning Ruthu awoke to a shout,
"There's a girl in the bushes, come here and see!"
A crowd of women gathered around
"Who are you child? From where did you flee?"
Unable to speak and full of fear,
Ruthu broke down and shed lots of tears.
"Don't cry child, we'll help you my dear."
One kind woman took Ruthu to her shack
Bathed and fed her, and replaced her rags
But could Ruth trust she would not send her back?
Days went by, then Ruthu opened her heart
Told of the horror of life as a slave.
The woman was saddened and a plan did start
To get her to safety in a town far away.
So Ruthu eventually came to Grace Home
And shyly watched all the children at play,
Too traumatised to try to join in.
Day by day much kindness was shown
Until slowly, surely, love had won.
Over many months Ruthu's trust had grown
She relaxed and smiled, and joined in the fun.
A special treat was to have her hair brushed
Never before had anyone cared
To oil her hair or mend her clothes
These are the things that Ruthu shared.
"Who are you Ruthu? From whence do you come?"
I know not these things, I never did know
Who were my parents, where was my home.
Was I sold as a baby, an unwanted child?
Or did my family all die and leave me to fate?
Will I ever discover? Has my history been filed?
If only I knew, it would help me recover!"
A tutor was brought to teach her to read
But emotional damage was not yet over.
Could not attend school to learn like the rest,
So stayed home and helped to cook and to clean,
And discovered that sewing was what she liked best.
The years went by and Ruthu blossomed and grew,
A radiant smile now crowned her beauty.
After so much struggle she suddenly knew
How to read and write, and she danced for joy!
The whole of Grace Family rejoiced as well,
And thanked and praised God, every girl and boy.
Now Ruthu is seventeen and her future is bright.
She studies at College and is doing well.
Confusion has gone and she lives in the light
Of God's marvellous love for the orphaned child
A merciful Father who gathers the lost
And brings to His family those man has reviled.
Ruthu, abandoned, forsaken, broken and beaten:
Now most beloved daughter, sister and friend!
Original poem written by Regina Hanrahan 2009
