The beast in the man

An Independentsl.com Special Feature

(October, 05, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian)Thaya Thiagarajah is a specialist in trauma therapy. Wife of the Bishop of the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India, the Rt Rev Dr Daniel Thiagarajah, Thaya is a counselor for many children who have been and continue to be affected by the civil war in Sri Lanka. Over and above that, there are incidents of raw beastliness in private places, parks and even family homes where often the perpetrators of some of the vilest forms of abuse of children are from people known to them, a relative, neighbor and at times, even a friend trusted by the older members of the family.

Counseling in such cases can be so harrowing that Thaya comforts herself by expressing her pain and anguish through poems, one the finest means to express our innermost feelings. I have read many of her poems which gave me an understanding of the battles she has to fight to ensure that she brings some hopes to the children who come into her hands. In this she has the whole-hearted support of her husband Bishop Thiagarajah. They treat such children who come into their lives through Thaya’s work among them, virtually as their foster children. Thaya currently works for World Vision International.

The Bruised Chicken is a lamentation of a child who came into the care of Thaya Thiagarajah presented in verse style by her.

The bruised chicken

By Thaya Thiagarajah

In the dusty kitchen fire place
He is closing the doors and the windows
It is making the noontime into a dark night!
Why is he doing it Ammah?

I am thirsty and hungry
I want juice, rice and curry
He in my mouth puts cloth so dirty
Is it going to be my lunch Ammah?

I am getting scared and perspire
I’m just four years, confused and scared
He undresses me, takes off my diapers!
Is he going to give me a bath Ammah?

I need a gentle warm hug
I want to feel safe and be loved
But he pushes me to the hard ground!
Why is he so rude Ammah?

I can’t shout, scream or breathe
He hurts me so much underneath
It is paining, I’m bleeding, and I’m close to death!
Why is he doing it Ammah?

Now at last, every thing is over
The monster to me bends over
Whispering, he would kill me if I tell another!
Will he really do it Ammah?

I am broken, bleeding and bruised
I am in pain, weak and ashamed
I want my Ammah, I need my God!
Where on earth have you both gone?