As the years go by,
people would ask,
how did you overcome such a treacheous past?
life with no mom and such an abusive step dad,
how did you survive such hunger and pain,
wondering if you were conceived on a curse,
and that your birth was in vain,
but all these years ive never known myself,
how am i still smiling and all in good health,
and then one day i sat to pray,
on a near by bench,
and realized that all of my prayers
have been heartfelt,
and have always started with lord,
please give me strength
please give me strength.
 

Shari Gamali Grinnell