Trauma Burps: A poem about the complex experience of trauma

Sarah Dillon who is the Head of Therapeutic Leads, National Association of Therapeutic Parents has written a thought-provoking poem depicting trauma reactions as Trauma Burps. The poem gives a little simplified glimmer into the complex experience of trauma, a must read for all foster carers or those who have experienced trauma in the past.

Trauma Burps

I’ve got a tricky problem

I call it Trauma Burps

and say some nasty words

They come up from my tummy

They burped out to my teacher

Cos she was in my way

Now I’ve got detention

But I feel too scared to stay

The Head asked why I do it and I said

‘I DON’T KNOW WHY’

She said I need to STOP IT

And now I want to cry

I don’t dislike my teacher

but her glasses make me wobble

That’s why I called her ugly

And it’s gotten my in trouble

Trauma burps are awful

You don’t know when they’ll happen

The adults say I’m ‘naughty’

And that makes me want to slap em

Maybe I have got them

Cos I’m rotten kid

I didn’t mean to say it

But the teacher said I did

Deep down in my tummy

I feel those dreaded burps

So mum said she would help

As they may be from past hurts

She gave me a big cuddle

And I felt the burpies pop

Perhaps I might believe

She can help to make them stop

She thinks I got the trauma burps

When I was very small

And they bounce round in my tummy

Especially at school

She’s going to tell the teacher

I’m not a ‘naughty lad’

I didn’t mean to say it

And burps are when I’m sad

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