Monsters Exist

Posted on by jonicaggiano
Poem by Joni Caggiano – Photo by Nazrin B-va (Unsplash) 28 second read

small was the wooden boat where I lay
in the pond of my youth
red was the color of the water each day
for my tears carried the truth

sunshine filled the boat where secrets hid
my pole and bobber bright red
kept me company, as I was five, a good kid
I feared they wished I was dead

monsters did exist, and often I saw two
with God in the boat alone
and my little doll Sally who also knew
oh, how I pray to be grown

until then, I will float in my own sorrow
the fish will bite at the bait
God will tell me about my tomorrow
and angels will sing of my fate


This piece is a dedication to any children or teenagers who are in an abusive home. Every once in a while, I write a poem about my childhood, and I hope that I might reach even one person by doing so. I didn’t have the kind of resources available today. What a blessing there is so much help on-line. Please know there is help; you do not have to suffer in silence. This poem is a child’s story. I am not a victim; I am a warrior, and I have a lioness spirit with cubs. My husband is my home, and my beautiful, spirited child, is a blessing from God every day.

Thank you for your wonderful support. I love all of you, my dear friends, and wish you an amazing weekend filled with love.

Hugs, Joni

59 thoughts on “Monsters Exist”

    1. Thank you kind friend. You are so sweet to reblog so many of my posts. Much appreciated my friend and I hope that you have a weekend full of wonderful blessings. Hugs 🤗 and love ❤️💕🤗Joni

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    1. Isn’t that the truth. I worry for children during this time. Hard not to. Hope all is well at the ranch and that you and your wife are well. Thank you Timothy for your very kind support. Sending lots of love to the two of you. ❤️💕🤗💖Joni

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      1. We are all catted with kitties and kittens. We are up to a lot of cat herdy and kitty fun.

      2. Oh that sounds so nice. Kittens are so sweet and they grow into loving cats. We have always had at least one rescue at any given time. I like the idea that there is lots of activity down by the Rio Grande. You two take good care of each other my friend. Sending love, hugs, kitty treats and of course a big bag of catnip. Love ❤️ Joni

  3. Joni, your poem is powerful poignant heart breaking all at the same time. I appreciate your words in the notes that you are a lioness. Yes, I agree. You have let your history be a light to those in need, what a powerful testimony. Thank you for your courage to speak on this topic. Blessings to you in all kinds of ways for your faithfulness. Peace. 💖💖💖🙏🌸

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    1. Suzette your words are humbling and have so touched my heart. I feel so blessed and loved and of course I have had the Great Lord and Savior in my life for such a long time, so I am truly grateful. Thank you for your kind words again and your loving support. Have an amazing weekend my friend. Love to you and all your loved ones. 💕❤️🤗🙏Joni

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    1. Thank you kinge for your gracious words my friend. I appreciate your reading and your thoughtfulness as well. It is hard not to worry about young ones being at home right now if they are abused. Praying and reaching out hopefully does help. You and your family have a wonderful and blessed weekend my friend. Love ❤️ Joni

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    1. Thank you Dawn. I so appreciate your kind support. I am so very blessed my friend. I hope you and your family have a truly blessed weekend my friend. Love to you Dawn. ❤️💕🤗🙏Joni

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    1. Thank you so much. I do appreciate your thoughtfulness my friend.

      “You are a good example of how inner strength and God teaches you to survive.”

      Thank you for that. I am very grateful that my mother through all her abusive behavior she still taught me about God. She gave me a bible which I still use and my faith kept me going. God was always with me. We made so many trips where they were so drunk they could barely talk and still we were never hurt. God also protected me from the spray of my father’s shot gun so there was much intervention by God’s angels of protection or from God. Either way, he walked with me. I am so blessed.
      I hope you and all your loved ones have an amazing and blessed weekend. Love ❤️ Joni

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      1. This is beautiful proof of the Love of God. If I feel down God soon picks me up and dusts me down to face another day. Thank you for your kind words and Bless you and your family for they know the truth.

      2. Thank you sweet friend. Blessings to you all. 🤗💕❤️💖 God does hold us up when we need it the most, He lifts us up and shows us his loving kindness. ❤️💕😘Joni

    1. Oh what a kind thing to say. I am delighted that you are inspired by my words, thank you for that my friend. I hope you have an amazing weekend with lots of love.
      Sending hugs and love to you and all your loved ones. 💕❤️🌺🤗 Joni

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      2. You are so right my friend. We are all brothers and sisters sharing this world of ours and there is certainly a lot we can learn from one another. Sending you back love and good wishes as well my new friend. I was able to get into your site today. Yea!!! Love ❤️ Joni

  8. Beautiful. I knew exactly what this poem was about right away, unfortunately, me too. Yes, there are more resources now, but the courage to speak up is the hardest part, the most important step. My heart goes out to all the victims current and past, the pain never goes away.

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    1. I am so sorry Tiffany. Sorry your kind heart has been hurt by anyone. I hope you have some people you can speak too. When you get much older it is in the background and pops up every once in a while. It does get easier but I think talking to others really helps. Just not keeping it bottled up. You have such a sweet heart my friend. Love you and I am going to say a prayer right now for you. 🤗💕❤️💖🙏

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  9. That is so beautiful Joni and offer hope where tears have been shed, scars made and a boat to carry the monsters off to sea. I often say the same thing, “if I could just reach one person with my message then I I have used my voice well enough”. We can’t save them all but I’m glad Sally the Angels, your husband and spirited child saved you.. Thanks for the poem! ❤️ Cindy

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    1. You certainly know how to humble me my dear friend. It is obvious you really connected to this piece and I am so grateful. You are right of course just helping one person is such a blessing to us. Thank you my kind friend for your loving support. Sending love to you and yours. Love y’all Joni ❤️💕🤗😘

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      1. It is well deserved dear Joni! I sure did~! It was like a painting and a blessing. One by one we will tackle this together. You are so welcome and love and hugs back to you! ❤️🙏❤️🙏 Cindy

      2. Yes, this is so true especially right now I believe. I am sending so much love and lots of warm hugs your way my friend. Love ❤️ Joni 🌺🌸🤗🤗

  13. Dear Joni,
    The poem is so well written. The feelings, the emotions are so vividly described. I can feel, I can actually SEE what the child is going through. Such a lovely poem, I love it!❤
    You are such a kind soul. It’s so inspiring, how you surfaced out of what you faced in your childhood, and became a warrior. And you are trying to help others who might have the same fate.
    Sending plenty of love and hugs❣🤗
    Ishita💗

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    1. Hi my friend, it is so nice to hear from you. School must have you so busy. I pray you are able to enjoy your time off.

      Thank you for your very kind response my friend. It is gratefully appreciated and humbling.

      “I can feel, I can actually SEE what the child is going through.”

      You have truly blessed me with your dear words and understanding. It is my way of trying to give back even if it is in this small way.

      Sending you much love, blessings and hugs as well. You are working so hard I hope you are able to continue to write.
      Love to you and all your loved ones Ishita. ❤️💕😘Joni

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      1. Thank you Joni, your support means a lot❤

        Most welcome. You are a wonderful writer and a human. Your writings are amazing. You deserve every bit of the praise.

        Love and hugs Joni❤ Thank you once again dear🤗💞
        Ishita❣

      2. Thank you again dear friend.

        I am sending buckets of flowers for you and your loved ones. Stay blessed and happy.

        Love ❤️ your friend,
        Joni

  14. This pierced me to the soul, Joni. Am having WiFi problems (a frequent issue in this rural area). Please, forgive me, if I cannot manage to comment on any of your other posts today. Love and Blessings, A. <3

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    1. Never worry about that with me my friend. We have a deep bond that many don’t understand. We are sisters of survival, sisters that became warriors but we still have triggers. Sending you love my dear friend, blessings and prayer. Love you Anna. ❤️💕🙏Joni

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    1. Thank you my dearest Button for your words.

      “Your poetry is wonderful and touched the soul. It is like a year on a beautiful face.”

      Your words are precious to me my friend. Yes they exist but thank goodness there are so many resources for kids today.

      Thank you for your love and blessings and I am sending some back. Stay happy and healthy.
      Love,
      Honeybun

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      1. My pleasure honeybun. Yes we are lucky that there are resources today albeit not enough.
        A heart piece.
        Sending hugs. Have a blessed day. I hope you feel better today ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

      2. You are right there are not enough. I will be better soon. You are so sweet to remember. I saw a neurologist and they will administer multiple injections in my back and that will be done this week. Thank you so much for asking.

        I hope how ever you are teaching your students that you are protected. I feel so badly for students and their teachers/professors. I am keeping you and all teachers in my prayers. Please take care.
        Love you Button. 🤗💕❤️🤗😘honeybun

  16. Hi Joni! What a sad truth. I know the realities that you’ve shared. So heart-fully written. Innocence is very beautiful and in that beauty, God protects their hearts and spirit in His. 💗💗💗💗Love you-

    In the following shared video link, the child speaking Is really God speaking ( my husband says the child’s expressions are those of the Holy Spirit).

    https://youtu.be/fv4xPQ4wdJg

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    1. You are so kind. I am so sad that you know these realities. Thank you for your kindness as always. Also I can see why your husband said what he did about the video. When we are small our relationship with God can be so very close. This precious child is articulating like an angel What a precious gift this was to me this morning. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous spirit and loving heart. Thank your husband too. The video made me cry. What a precious site. Love ❤️ you Joni

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      1. Oh Joni I hope your tears were a joyful release. The little girl is a darling angel. Your poems are a place where Heaven’s little angels gather and bake love for human arts from God’s mercy. 🎼🌺XOXO

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