Raj,

this was a painful write, but it was done at the request of the girl who this is about.

I receive a lot of emails from people all over the world who seem to grab hold of my lyrics and make them personal to themselves. The songs we have released have much darker themes running through them than the obvious subject matter on the surface.

There is one girl, Sasha, who has been writing to me for a few years and I thought I had got to know her quite well...an understatement!...she recently told me about how her Father treats her and she asked me if this was normal!!

I am no therapist, and have no idea how to help somebody who lives thousands of miles away and has to deal with this level of abuse...daily. She has an obsession with one of my songs and says she plays that to remind her there are others like her out there...'the lost kids' she calls them. The song is Banner, and was not written with the intention of it being inspirational to others...but she is not the only one to have taken this song to heart.

I have posted Banner I & Banner II below for reference.

She asked me if I would write her a song about her life and asked me to compose music to it. I managed to find the words, but the music is a tough one when the subject matter is so evil. She asked me to post it and she can access Neopoet without being a member to read it and the comments she receives. I hope it helps her in some way, but it doesn't take away the nightmare.

Thank you for reading and commenting...I don't expect to get many responses to this one due to its nature, but if it gives Sasha a smile, it's one more smile to help forget the nightmares, if only for a second.

kind regards,

HS
--------------------

Banner

The kids are all
Screwed up, tripped out
Fuckin' wastes of space
Free of remorse and guilt
Full of rage and disgrace

The kids are all
Washed out, messed up
Fuckin' pieces of shite
Free of emotion and fear
Full of anger and spite

I wave the black flag above my head
A signal to the lost kids, left for dead
They flock to the banner in the dark of night
Answer their calling, ready for the fight

I wave the black flag high above my head
A signal to the lost kids, left for dead
They rally to the banner, it's their last hope
Drown the world in blood, make it choke

The kids are all
Fucked up, worn down
Left in a drugged state
Free from pain and stress
Filled with evil and hate

The kids are all
Broke down, shook up
Caught in a crazed mind
Free from pressure and strain
They needed help, but never mind

© 2008 hoodedstranger.com

----------------------------------------

Banner II

Do we wear black so we can hide in the shadow?
Or do we wear black so we stand out in a crowd?

Do we hide our faces so nobody can accuse us?
Or do we hide our faces so we can't be seen?

We are the black army of the lost generation
Shoulder to shoulder we fight against invasion

We are the dark army of the unwanted nation
Proud to protect our borders from penetration

Do we whisper our words so we can't be overheard?
Or do we whisper our words to keep them secret?

Do we follow the banner for safety in numbers?
Or do we follow the banner to make a statement?

© 2010 hoodedstranger.com

Psyve,

thanks for commenting on such a dark themed piece...I so wish I could say it was just a made up tale.

regards,

HS

Zigs,

thanks for the pre-posting comments and suggestions...I know you found it a hard read, but thanks for taking time to respond, it is appreciated.
HS

Eddie,

it is a sad day to find out that you also know somebody who is/has gone through this.

Of course you can send it to her - I am not bothered about taking credit, just let her have it and if it helps in any way, then it was worth the write.

Thanks for commenting, I know it isn't easy.

HS

Stan,

thnaks for the suggestions...they look good to me, I'll make the changes after consultation with Sasha, as I need to make sure no line is changed that loses the effect for her...but the suggestions are minor and in keeping with the subject and flow...so I thank you my friend.

HS

Jim,

I tried hard to keep my emotions as neutral as possible, as I wanted to add in as many explicit words as I could about this bastard...but I managed to hold off...although, should I ever record it, it will have a final outro where I will really go off on one!

I appreciate your comment as I understand this is not an easy read and even harder one to comment on.

regards,

HS

JayCee,

thanks for your comments my friend.

An escape poem?...now there's an idea...although I'd rather do a revenge poem where the fucker is burnt to death in his damn house of hell!

I will think about an escape version...a looking forward poem, as Sasha does have a future.

Thanks mate,

HS

Joe,

many thanks for your kind words, getting a response like this from you means a lot to me.

It is written as lyrics so you are correct to mention the meter and rhythm. My only problem, was should a subject matter like this have rhyming words, as I was worried it would take something away from the whole piece...but I happy with it for now.

I am aware of two other songs about child sexual abuse and they both contain rhyming words so I guess it does work.

Thanks for taking time out to read and comment,

kindest regards,

HS

Pleiades,

thank you for responding to this write.

There is a Mother, but long gone, living in another country now and makes no contact.

I was close to packing my things and finding this monster and deal with him just like you would, albeit very slowly and painfully, but it is all over, but not mentally.

I know Sasha has found comfort in this and is coping better knowing she isn't the only one out there (little comfort indeed, but it is something). I can assure you this abuse has stopped and she no longer sees her Father. I can't say much more as it isn't appropriate, but she out of this dreadful situation.

She was brave enough in the end to runaway and to safety too.

Glad you liked Banner, it can be heard here:

www.systemasynthetica.net

Thank you for commenting.

kind regards,

HS

Rosina,

I knew about your past and wasn't sure if you'd be able to comment...but you did and I thank you for it.

kind regards,

HS

Raj,

you are right, I have received a lot more resonses to this one than I had expected.

It is hard to appreciate that my writing and the bands music touches other people, but if it gives some people enjoyment then it is worth the hours in the studio. Using Neo is also a contributing factor as I post new lyrics here and use the suggestions and ideas offered to hopefully improve the lyrics before actually recording...for me it is a win/win situation.

Sasha has read all the comments so far, and is as blown away by the responses received as I am.

i am trying to get her to write poetry and she has expressed an interest in lyric writing and joining a band. I'll do my best to help her and maybe one day I'll persuade her to co-write a song with me and hopefully feature her vocals on it.

Thank you again for your kind words and positive energy you always manage to share openly.

regards,

HS

Stan,

he is still breathing...but hopefully not for long...there is no place on earth for people like this...no forgiveness and no second chances!

regards,

HS

Marie,

thank you for taking time out to read and comment - much appreciated.

I did walk a thin line of making the voice almost sound childlike without going too far. This took many re-writes before i was reday to post and the original had no rhyme to it at all. I decided to add rhyme as I wanted it to have a heartbeat...which the original version lacked.

I am hoping the full version of your poem is on the website link you provided me with as although you have only posted a few lines, I can almost feel a heartbeat, and that is without the strict form or rhyme.

Thank you,

HS

Chez,

I never experienced anything like this in my childhood either so when asked to write about it, I had little to go on. Fortunately, well unfortunately I had someone who could relive the horror for me and give me enough, to be able to write about it. A really tough topic and I don't see myself re-reading this one much.

Kind regards,

HS

Ayaz,

how have you been my friend, it seems like ages since I heard from you.

From what I have been told, the physical side of this is minor when compared to her emotional harm. The action lasts a short time, but the horror never goes away. I ask myself, how can you move on with life when it has already been abused in such a manner and from a parent,. The loss of love and safety that she should have had from her Father, has left her unable to trust anybody.

Sasha is unable to trust any male figure in her life and thus avoids contact with any. She feels ashamed and wants to hide away and not make eye contact with anybody. It must have been a huge decision to open up to me and ask me to write this on her behalf, but I guess trust is slowly finding its way back to her.

She has moved on, but the nightmare is only a flicker away from inside her head.

Thank you for the comment my dear friend,

HS