The News In Poetry Day 37: Not Rolf Harris

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22212131

TRIGGER WARNING SEXUAL ABUSE DENIALISM

Because we loved him so much
And he was like our uncle.
And he taught us to draw things
And he sang funny little songs
And well. It couldn’t be:
Not him.

Because the people who abuse children –
Surely they are sinister, shadowy.
Surely we can tell who they are
Surely they are not among us
Surely they are not this treasured eccentric grandpa:
Not him

Because it’s easier to say
That somebody is lying
That they’re making too much of it.
That it was a different time
That really they were to blame:
Not him.

Because the ones who cause the hurt
Couldn’t be deceitful
Couldn’t convince they were harmless
Couldn’t manipulate us.
Couldn’t be someone we trust.
Not him.