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Family vs. Heart

I remember it; clear as if it was yesterday
Dad came in my room, shut my door
This was rare so I knew it wasn’t good
I could see anger in the lines on his face

‘What did I ever do to you?’
His gestures released the emotion from his eyes in fiery bursts
‘Why are you trying to hurt me?’
I sat there in disbelief, words unable to form in my mind

I never tried to hurt him; I wasn’t thinking about him
I was focused only on my heart; maybe I was selfish
I was dating a guy who I really liked
A guy who I maybe even loved

But Dad is old-fashioned
Wants to see me with a Catholic Italian
And this guy did not fit the cookie cutter image
That’s all Dad could see

He was blind to the love this guy had for me
The care, the kindness, the selflessness
But the inside meant nothing
When all Dad could see was the outside

He continued to yell, bringing me to tears
Why did he act as if it were a personal slight to him?
I was confused, I didn’t get it; this was so unfair
Why was he so angry at me?

‘Either he goes or you go’
‘You’re lucky your mom’s around or you’d be out by now’

He left the room, slamming the door; I sat in disbelief, tears wetting my cheeks
Sobs hindered my breathing as I realized my Dad hated me for all this
Daddy’s little girl now had a choice to make
Her family or her heart?

Author notes

I couldn't write this one without a few tears...that was a big day for me...a really hard one...the first time I'd ever seen my dad so upset with me. It truly was a Romeo and Juliet relationship; although the ending was a bit different...I ended up choosing my family, at the expense of both our hearts. He respected that choice, but it was hard for both of us to accept. If you read my poem "We Can't", you might understand it better after having read this one.

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Comments

1 - 17 of 17

  • Symphony
    November 17, 2008

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    Heartbreaking ; I cannot imagine a family giving someone an ultimatium like this, and then claiming to love them - if the child was in danger, or in an abusive relationship of some sort, then very well - however to do it just because of race issues is a tragic story indeed. I feel for you, truly I do ... and don't know what I would have done in your position.

    With that said, while this was well written - and you showed us exactly why he wasn't 'good enough' in your Dad's eyes [because of not being Catholic Italian!] I'm afraid I'm going to have to disqualify this as I stated explicity in the rules that it had to be rhyme only...

    But again - I do feel for your situation ... honestly cannot imagine...

  • piccola silver member
    August 19, 2008

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    Congratulations on the trophy (gold) this was very touching and I know it hurt but I respect you for choosing family. My grandaughter who is only 18 is leaving us for a man she met on-line. She only knows him from playing W.O.W and talking on the phone ... I'm afraid for her and hurt that she won't respect our wishes. I'm glad that you had respect for your family.


  • Scared Silly
    August 18, 2008
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    i liked it but it seemed like more of a story than a poem


  • Cerbie20
    August 12, 2008

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    wow... i am breathless. this is really good. and i know what you are feeling. i had to do that about a year and a half ago. for the most part, my family is kinda racist. i am white, and i had a black bf that i was so in love with, and then my parents found out about it, and i had to choose my family or him. i cried for days, and then i finally told him that i just could not lose my family. it hurts, it really does. and i deeply feel for you.


  • deadheartedkitty
    July 31, 2008

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    good...

    this was a good write, verry heart felt...i could feel the pain and the tears as i was reading it...verry deep... good luck to you...


  • DAMSELx
    July 30, 2008

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    This was such a heart wrenching piece. I still have chills that won't seem to go away...what an awful and devastating decision to have to make. Great write, thank you for this entry.

    --DAMSELx


  • xwarriorXprincessx
    July 24, 2008

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    my heart goes out to you.

    although i'm gay i understand this situation all to well. the struggle for a parent's approval of a lover is probably the hardest bit of trust to earn from them, and at the same time it's probably the hardest bit of letting go for them to have to do, to trust their child's heart with a perfect stranger, with someone else's child... to have to trust their child's decision in a lover. it's an incredibly difficult thing for both people, and i can really appreciate this topic.

    nicely written. best of luck in the contest.


  • Weetzie bat
    July 11, 2008

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    Thank you for entering my contest. I know that's gotta be tough. I've been in a situation similar to that.
    you wrote about giving up love for love...of a different nature i mean. Tragically beautiful.


  • Sound of Madness
    July 9, 2008

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    Thanks for entering this into my contest. This had to have been a hard decision. I've had to make it before. I chose what you didn't. I gave up my family for my heart. I would gladly do it again. I wish you much luck.

  • kales4
    July 6, 2008

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    Thank you for entering my contest. This was a really hard decision for you to make i can sense from the emotion evoked in the poem. I'm glad that this guy understood your decision and i hope you guys are still friends. Great write and good luck


  • XxemohatexX
    July 6, 2008

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    omg this is so exelent it brought tears to my eyes i would heve chosen the guy and if it didnt work out i would go back to the family i know you only have one chang=ce for true love and that you cant let go of it for anything i went through the same thing my family is very racial and i fell for a mexicon and the fliped so so did i i told them how stuped this shit was and how i would find a way to see him nomater what and i did untill we decided it wasnt working out it was my choice nnot theresso i hope you dont regret the choice you made keep up the great righting thank you for entering my contest

  • strangerforeigner
    July 5, 2008

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    This is quite a good write, and an interesting take on the prompt. Thanks for entering and good luck in my contest!


  • A.N. Divine
    July 3, 2008

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    I know the situation, but always know your heart will never lie to you. People will do whatever it takes to manipulate you, but your heart has no unpure intentions for you.


    -C. Comatose

  • Judith Chandler
    July 3, 2008

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    I'm a sucker for this kind of family drama and the story further intrigued me because my father came from an English background and was the sort of man who would never have said "What have I ever done to hurt you."

    My sister was in a somewhat similar situation and married the guy my parents disapproved of. They remained disapproving but her marriage has worked.

    Thanks for a well written story poem, full of an intensity in the writing that matches the story line.


  • Princess Kina
    July 1, 2008

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    The Games of REALITY!

    You watch TV, read books, hear from the people of themselves the Great aspect of Love and then your face with this very problem infront of You!

    Its BEAUTIFUL I couldn't have put your words any other way, now the ending I am anticipating for.... so What really happens Next! Just remember at the end of the Journey you do make the last choice.


  • ProudMomma
    July 1, 2008

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    i really like this write it really sux that you could have both your family and your romeo! great write girl, everything will work out eventually! keep on penning

  • hardeepb
    July 1, 2008

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    The ways of old

    Sometimes...the ways of old continue to dominate young hearts; hopefully one day those hearts can become adults themselves. Family is very powerful...in a good and a bad way. Trust me...the guy loved you...still does. Would never ever want you to leave your family.

    The dialogue truly shows the emotion...the unfairness...the ignorance...everyone feels at times...but in this case it's worse.

    "He left the room, slamming the door; I sat in disbelief, tears wetting my cheeks
    Sobs hindered my breathing as I realized my Dad hated me for all this
    Daddy’s little girl now had a choice to make
    Her family or her heart?"

    Such a beautiful way to end it...

    You made the right choice that day...even if daddy broke his heart in ways you couldn't imagine. So emotionally charged...I can't stop crying. Keep writing, he'll keep reading. 9/10.

1 - 17 of 17