i saw what i saw

i saw what i saw and i can't forget it

i heard what i heard and i can't go back

i know what i know and i can't deny it

something on the road cut me to the soul

There are things that I see regularly, even daily, that I don't always stop to think about. But, whether or not I acknowledge it at the time, the things I have seen have forever changed me. Even if I wanted to forget (and I often do), I couldn't. There are times when I would like to put life in reverse for a bit in order to erase what I have heard, but I can't. And, the truth is that, knowing what I know, I can't deny what I have seen, heard, and experienced.

I have seen tiny babies take naps on straw mats on the side of a busy street and lying inside styrofoam coolers (without the lid, thankfully!). I have seen 2-year-olds play naked in a park. I have seen teenage girls sell their bodies for just a few dollars. I have held the hands of a teenage sex worker who is HIV+. I have seen six-year-old little girls tote around infants with soiled pants. I have seen the bruises on the face of a woman whose husband gets drunk and beats her. i have seen all of this in the last 48 hours...

your pain has changed me

your dream inspires

your face a memory

your hope a fire

your courage asks me what i'm afraid of

and what i know of God

we've done what we've done and we can't erase it

we are what we are and it's more than enough

we have what we have but it's no substitution

something on the road cut me to the soul

your pain has changed me

your dream inspires

your face a memory

your hope a fire

your courage asks me what i'm afraid of

and what i know of God

i say what i say with no hesitation

i have what i have but i'm giving it up

i do what i do with deep conviction

something on the road cut me to the soul

your pain has changed me

your dream inspires

your face a memory

your hope a fire

your courage asks me what i'm afraid of

and what i know of God

your courage asks me what i'm afraid of

your courage asks me what i am made of

your courage asks me what i'm afraid of

and what i know of love

and what i know of God

~"i saw what i saw" sara groves~