An Adoptee’s Plea

They took away the children
& they took away their names
they gave them to new parents
to hide the shame.

They said none of this would matter
once it was covered up
but now we are here to tell you
that we have had enough.We need to know our histories,
our own identities.
It's not enough to tell us
we're just adoptees.

We need to know our race; our culture;
some medical history.
As well as that, we'd like to know
how we came to be.

I can not tell you what it's like,
the frustration & the pain.
Words cannot describe it.
They would only be in vain.

Just try to understand
what we are asking for ;
a vital piece of our own selves
to fill the void - to heal the soul.

© 1996 Lori Pringle