They delivered me out of profound darkness,
With the kissing promise of saving light.
The key, they said, was in their mighty hands
Looking up with poignant eyes, I followed.
Put a smile on your face, she said. So I did.
And the burning anguish melted into my soul.
Don’t you dare cry, he said. So I didn’t.
And my tears forever dried up into toxic ashes.
Be good or Dad won’t come home, she said. So I was.
And my heart raced to hear that door open every night.
You don’t know what love is, he said. So I doubted.
And the little I held onto floated away into the clouds.
Go to church and pray and you’ll be fine, she said. So I did.
And resentment built as my God betrayed me time and again.
If you’re unhappy here we’ll send you away, he said. So I lied.
And old recollections of isolation and neglect filled my heart.
No one likes to be around a sad person, she said. So I joked.
And the fool, cloaked in silliness, kept the monsters at bay.
Be grateful for what you have, he said. So I tried.
And all the things in the world could not simply hug me.
There are people worse off than you, she said. So I imagined.
And guilt burned like acid through the core of my being.
Straighten up and fly right, he said. So I worked harder.
And hiding behind the scholar was a desperate little girl.
You have nothing to feel bad about, she said. So I stopped feeling.
And the little ones reached out to take my pain for safe keeping.
Anger is not acceptable in this house, he said. So I laughed.
And I ran the razor across my skin to secretly unleash the swelling rage.
You don’t know how good you have it, she said. So I wondered.
And I watched others pass by and wished to share their pain.
I’ll give you something to cry about, he said. So I grit my teeth.
And I so wished he could hear my cries and know what I knew.
I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life, she said. So I cringed.
And I dreamed I was dying a slow, torturous death at the hands of loved ones.
Don’t dare talk about family matters to strangers, he said. So I shut up.
And I became numb to myself and the world around me after all.
There’s nothing more that can be done for you, they said. So I believed them.
pic: http://www.amorak.net/
Author notes
Truth Hurts
In a list
A contest entry
- 30 Titles by xxRainbowDawnxx.
3000 points, ended September 27, 2008, 16 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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Truth is sometimes needed
The truth may hurt but sometimes it's what a child needs to hear, good job you've done in writing this poem.
And now I'd like to say, thanks for your comment on my poem.
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It certainly does, but it's needed most of the time though, we can't deal with anything without a little truth behind it. Nicely put.
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Brilliant piece. You take the reader on a journey through a child and young adult's life, on the thoughtless or cliche or cruel words of the people who are all the world to them; their primary source of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
A child lacks perspective and experience. They tend to be very literal in their understandings. Trust and love and absolute dependence make them very believing of adults in general, and their parents in particular. Parenthood is a huge responsibility that calls for our very best efforts and careful loving attention. Outstanding power and presentation.
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This is so true... I love the story you've told.. it's beautiful and heartfelt...
Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.
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Wow, this rocks, and tells the stories of so many
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