On the plains of Africa
Animals attack their prey
It happens in America
At the end of every day.
The play of the child
Has been pushed aside
Innocent and mild
There's nowhere to hide
Like the bricks in the road
They have no rights
Trampled a hundred fold
As they fear the nights
Little one, don't dare cry
Your mute induced by fear
Please, not even a sigh
Not a sound to hear
For the monster under the bed
Lives in the other room
The society in its head
Feeds the hatred and gloom
Brought out by alcohol
The anger releases
Thrown about like a doll
Until the little mind ceases
Like a drooling kiss
The pain and fear lingers
Sometimes it's fists
And at times, the cold fingers
And the damage done will last lifetimes
And passed on to the next level
In a world where nothing rhymes
And silence is for survival.
Just once, I would love to be placed in a room with a monster.
Just once...
Author notes
Written March 3rd, 2002
What did you think
Comments
1 - 43 of 43
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This is really amazing. I just watched a national geographic movie showing how cruel the natural world us, and though I always knew it, to see it so graphically displayed really bothered me, and I couldn't watch the whole thing. I know the human world is just as vicious. And yet there are those of us who live outside that cruel world- so it's confusing. We are shocked by child abuse, but what about the very cruelty of man that expresses itself in so many subtle but damaging ways. Great poem.
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Oh, isn't child abuse sad? It's really good to know somebody who cares about those issues (abuse, racism, ect.) Awesome write. I loved how it flowed. amazing.
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Terrible consequences – often from people who have suffered the same abuse… (very weird). It is time for society to break the cycle – but perhaps not their heads, although that does prevent re-offending.
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This is absolutely brilliant. The word play and the rhyming scheme...they're just amazing. And the images, and truth in your words really touch my heart. *yodaesque voice* True talent you have :-). Keep up the good work.
~Jess -
neutral
great write- i enjoyed it
deb -
don't touch it!
wow. powerful piece. i'll strap on my armor and join you to face those monsters. -
neutral
i like the message behind your poem. i like the poem itself. one gripe i have is that the layout seems to take away from the poem slightly and make it drag. just the format of two lines then a space... sounds really picky and i hope you dont take offence. the poem is great... i just think format helps towards the whole overall effect
Lisa x -
excellent
It's cool how you could take the animals of Africa and relate it to the children in America. I like the fact that you talked specifically to the children. And the image you can create by just saying a few words is a gift.
****lisa**** -
neutral
Excellent write, although very sad. -
excellent
Just once, I would love to be placed in a room with a monster.
Just once...
How many times have we uttered those words or something like that every time we encounter abuse or injustice?! This is a great write and it is delivered with such power and wonderful imagery. Excellent! -
neutral
Came here from TinaBrannon's page... A great poem. This is universal in it message. It will speak to a wide audience... -
neutral
Powerful piece. Enjoyed reading it again & will add it to my recommended reads list. -
neutral
great poetry-nice job with the topic...............deb:) -
don't touch it!
Boy did you capture that childs fear and dread. Too much truth here for me to say much. Touched a deep chord in me, too close to my reality. Thank you for showing that not everyone is blind to what does go on and for desiring to do something about it.
Maddie -
don't touch it!
oh that is a very creative, poignant read. -
excellent
Very special poem..
Barbsxx -
don't touch it!
Powerful, D! Wow! If you find a monster, I want a piece of it! Lol! This was a deep, gut-wrenching write, leaves one with a stabbing kind of ache. ;)Kelly -
neutral
That was amazing and very heartwrenching. Great Job -
neutral
Awesome. -
don't touch it!
This is a very awesome poem.
Kinda dark and full of pain it seems.
Great imagery,I love it.
-Joe- -
excellent
makes sence....but yes...it made me think also. -
neutral
wow this was great really made me think. -
don't touch it!
The last line to this poem is EXCELLENT- it brings it all completely together. I could feel the rage running through me, and then I read the last line and said 'wow, that was awesome.' -
don't touch it!
this was a really powerful piece....also I really like the rhyming scheme...it was unique. good write! -
don't touch it!
This is fierce with an amazing message...so very strong and powerful. :) -
excellent
So powerful, I could feel the words rushing through my veins, pounding harder and harder as I read. -
excellent
Ohh very strong poem...Made me sad and mad at the same time....
Love how you ended it, Bravo! ~ Ce -
excellent
Excellent poem, really enjoyed this... very creative work :-) -
neutral
Reality in this is mind numbing.sigh, i cry -
neutral
animals and children tell the truth. which one is more human? this is really meaningful... good job! -
neutral
this is quite scary
not happy that
the animals of africa
seem to take an undeserved hit here
though
poetic license works:) -
don't touch it!
...this is cutting
just so fucking powerful -
*can't speak*
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Excellent indeed.
I enjoyed this a lot. -
Oh wow... this is excellent! Soooo sad, truthful and honest poem, I love this... very powerful stuff :-) I have a poem called 'harley', similar topic if you're interested.
Thanks ! -
excellent
superbly written,
I would say beautiful, but the subject matter hurts to read.
I wrote about a few monsters too. If you get a chance, they are called 'How many faces does your father wear' 'The land of no tears' 'He lied' (maybe I titled it < he said it wouldnt happen again * I cant remember ) and Prisoner....oh theres more, but I dont wanna bore you. :(
Thank you for giving them a voice. -
i really love how u start this poem it really captures the imagination and then u throw it into real life america....really well written.. love it
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I like this because it's very deep and emotional. I really like that last two lines. For me they made the poem. You know what I mean?!.Ahh, I love poetry and even more, I love rhyming. Always adds a nice quality. Glad that you like to do, rhyming that is:)
Nice work!!!
Lady Dame -
I can't understand why people would do things like that...I lived through it with my father (physical abuse), my step father (sexual abuse)and my husband (more physical abuse)....I've never turned to alcohol or drugs to get me through. Just pure strength and determination to prove they can't break me...I only want my children to not have to live that way..And I try not to punish them at all...Great write! :)
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This is wonderful.....
you know, you are absolutely 100% right. I work with little ones and somtimes you really wonder........sigh!
Excellant poem.... -
Everyone has a monster they have to over come. Just part of living I guess. Nice very nice~
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damn...such a powerful impact. really made me think & i really felt this one as well. intense & full of pain...I LOVE that last line...awesome write
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wow. really nice imagery. that was good, kind of hard to figure out at first. i had to read it twice.
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