Banished

A poem for the cycle breaker, the black sheep, the truth teller of families entrenched in unhealed generational trauma.

This poem is part of a series of posts about family estrangement for paid members. This note is your invitation to join (you can cancel anytime). Joining also supports my independent writing here on Substack, for which I am truly thankful.

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Banished

They banished her to the swampy water.
She was disgracefully disowned, no longer their daughter.

They banished her to the bottom of the pile.
She felt invisible and guilty, like she was on trial.

They banished her to the room furthest away.
She was isolated cos of what she might say.

They banished her far to damn Coventry.
She was ignored for hours intentionally.

They banished her to the bottom of the dark well.
She was heavily hypnotised under their spell.

They banished her out into the lashing rain.
She dared to be different, she didn’t think the same.

They banished her into the lion’s pit.
She felt more terrified than she’d ever admit.

They banished her from the family home.
She wondered if she would make it alone.

They banished her to the swampy water.
She fought the monsters and their rageful torture.

They banished her to the bottom of the pile.
She grew strong and still managed to keep her smile.

They banished her to the room furthest away.
She found her voice and had plenty to say.

They banished her far to damn Coventry.
Now she helps others to set themselves free.

They banished her to the bottom of the dark well.
Eventually, she crawled out of that hell.

They banished her out into the rain.
She gave them the finger and said, ‘Never again!

They banished her into the lion’s pit.
She outsmarted them all with her candour and wit.

They banished her from the family home.
She had so much courage, she knew she’d make it alone.

She turned her back on the banishing blame.
She wasn’t going to play their game.

She wasn’t a dustbin for all their trauma.
She was finally free from being their daughter.

She started over and now lives banishment free.
She chose a peaceful life without cruelty.

She’d finally conquered the shadowy fear.
She lives safe in the knowledge that all is well here.

Lisa Parkes ©

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Are you ready to take your healing to a deeper level?

Over the years, I’ve worked with women who struggle to have relationships with overbearing, abusive mothers, and emotionally distant fathers. As I’ve walked the path, it’s my pleasure to guide and support them. Being a cycle breaker is not for the faint hearted. It doesn’t just take courage and determination, but it often means going it alone.

Are we a good fit?

I usually work with woman who have had enough therapy to know that their family is dysfunctional and instead of trying harder to fix the relationship, or change their parents, they are ready to go within and start giving themselves the compassion and love they missed out on growing up.

‘Write to Heal’ is my 3-month mentoring programme where we journal through your story and slowly peel back the layers to set your inner child free. Writing your story can heal your past. You deserve to be free of that and live a peaceful life.

Apply to work with me

If you’d like to apply to work with me, then send an email to lisa@smileyforlife.com with ESTRANGEMENT in the subject line and tell me know how having me as your mentor will make a difference to your healing.

Love