Welcome to Hero Cape’s Poetry Collection, a space where words become a bridge to healing and connection. Here, you will find original poems by Cindy Henkelman, each piece a testament to the power of expression and resilience. These poems offer a glimpse into the shared human experience of overcoming adversity and finding hope. Feel free to immerse yourself in the verses. Together, through the art of poetry, we can continue to heal and uplift one another.
My Girl
My girl,
My dear, sweet girl.
I’m so sorry I chose to walk away.
From that young woman who needed someone so desperately,
All those years ago.
I chose to not hear your cries for help.
I didn’t want anything to do with you.
I hated you.
I was ashamed,
And embarrassed by you.
So, I locked you in a box,
And dumped you into the deepest part of that lake.
You tried to scream, kick, punch your way out.
But I just attached an anchor so you could sink deeper into the
back of my mind.
Out of existence… for the time being.
Out of my memory.
If I forgot that it happened, did it ever really happen at all?
Memories never go away.
They may fade over time.
So, I put all my energy into others,
To avoid helping the one person who needed it the most.
That twenty-year-old girl.
Your voice came back in whispers at first,
But slowly turned into screams again.
This time not to be ignored.
That box finally floated to the surface.
The memory crashing back like it happened yesterday.
I will listen to what you have to say this time.
I will really listen.
I forgive you.
I forgive that young woman who didn’t know any better.
The girl who only knew how to survive at the time.
Everything will be ok.
I will speak to you going forward,
Like you are my own daughter.
I will give you the love you so desperately need.
And thank you,
For forgiving me,
My present-day self.
For taking this long to let you speak and be heard.
Did I ever mention how stubborn I am?
I will hug you tight.
I won’t let you go.
This healing journey will always be a road I will be travelling on,
But this time I will walk down it… hand in hand…
With the girl who just needed to be loved.
Hero Cape 