I lay awake in bed last night
listening to the noises:
slamming doors;
shattering glass;
angry shouting voices;
my silent anguish.
I remember clearly when I was young
several years ago.
I used to lie awake in bed each night
huddled under the sheets
too scared to sleep,
too distressed to cry,
waiting… listening…
For the footsteps coming up the hall.
I’d stiffen as she entered the room
bracing myself against the blows,
hardening against her words.
She’d hit me and hurt me,
physically and emotionally.
I never flinched as the blows rained down,
swallowed back the metallic taste in my mouth.
And, like a shadow, she’d leave me alone
bruised, bleeding, but not in tears.
I was too young to know better:
I thought it was all my fault.
But tomorrow I’ll listen for your footsteps
and I’ll stand up tall and straight
‘Cos guess what, Mama,
I’m a big girl now,
And I ain’t gonna let you hurt me no more.
Author notes
Option 7
A contest entry
- Show me how it all ends. by tragicallyGifted.
1750 points, ended April 22, 2007, 9 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Many Options. Come in Choose a Few by KittieLyyn.
300 points, ended June 8, 2007, 14 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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Heart-wrenching. Such a sad picture you have painted with your words. A terrible thing when a child is hurt. Thank you for sharing this piece. Well done and well deserved shiny.
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excellent
I love it. I know that feeling very well. You rock as you already know.
Luv,
Case -
Sorry, but my contest rules say "No erotica," but for some reason, it would not let me view this poem until I changed my age. Obviously the site feels that this is erotica, so I will agree with that. I'm going to have to disqualify you for this.
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Huh?
Erotica? Hmmm.. I don't see it being erotic in any way. Anyhow, I respect your wish. Thank you. I'll look forward to your other contests
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this poem uses good imagery although if uve never been in that position its hard to think about good job and good luck
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OMG this is soooooo sad I can understand this completely and I know that nobody should have to feel pain like that..Im sooo sorry you had to go throught this..this is a really good poem and keep writing..good luck
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"I never flinched as the blows rained down,
swallowed back the metallic taste in my mouth.
And, like a shadow, she’d leave me alone
bruised, bleeding, but not in tears.
I was too young to know better:
I thought it was all my fault." <<<<-- I like those lines a lot.
Very good depiction of what an account of child abuse is like. I remember very well myself, though it was never that bad. I'm sorry if this has happened to you and I do hope that this has ended.
Good luck [even though I'm the judge -.-;]
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