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Still swinging

breezes holding on to tattered
hem of a nightgown-
only thing holding my soul down
silhouette against the moon
arched pale skin- dark tears fall

afraid to fall asleep-
terrified of waking nightmares
because you know
where my bed is

no wonder I'm here swinging..
Momma will never know
snoring wrapped in secondhand
sheets

heart lifting to my throat
opening my mouth
swallowing cloud tears
breathing in mountain air
soaring into the empty air

~heartbeating in rythmn
with the flapping of my
swing set wings
carrying me to a world
of unicorns, and mermaids
the cotton candy of childhood

fluttering eyelashes- window imprints
of my baby brother's face against
frosted glass panes- watching me fly
your dead eyes are behind him
just feet away- sallow cheeks
my lips move to warn him-
treading water in a Tsunami


then I remember- you won't hurt him
he's your son- but I'm not your daughter
am I? Like you promised me before
cracked bottles and acryllic tasting
illusion of apple juice- stole your mind

I'm nobody's daughter- broken childhood
marred innocence- freckles dot my face
like all the times you've sent me into
my fairytale world in my head- the world
whose doorway doesn't open fast enough
when you come for me.

I thought I could hide
but I guess
you found me..
I keep swinging- I'm flying -
pumping faster than the tears falling
even as you lie my brother on the couch
my watchman, sucking his thumb as he snores

pumping my legs into the air- doll limbs
twisting crazedly as momenteum changes
directions- still swinging
even as the backdoor opens- and
Nike shoes crunch the gravel






Author notes

option growing up
sorrow

A contest entry

    I plan to revise this poem: please leave constructive criticism!
    : , Your review:

    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
    • Line numbers  • Invite them to read
    : no Cost: 0 free left 0 points, You have (?)

Comments

1 - 11 of 11

  • AshleyAesthetic
    May 3

    Edit | Reply
    I think this poem deserves way more credit than most of those contests youve entered gave it.
    I think you did an amazing job! I can feel the pain soaking the screen right through when I read it. And the images you left in my head made me feel like I was right there with you. But if i was, Id do my best to make him go away. Id do my best to save you.
    beyond excellent!


  • Stolen memories
    April 3

    Edit | Reply

    OK

    Hmm two things:

    One you lost me.

    two:

    heart lifting to my throat
    opening my mouth
    swallowing cloud tears
    breathing in mountain air
    soaring into the empty air

    You rhymed 'Air' with 'Air' rhyming a word with the same word sounds amateur and unreliable, sorry.

    ~~DoomedToHell <3


  • Jazzlyn
    April 1
    Edit | Reply
    good


  • Justified Inc.
    March 31

    Edit | Reply

    Powerful write!

    Compelling, and sad. I can relate to this to some degree. But the way you have written it...my like a little bird that is so terrified it cannot fly. This is a heartbreaking poem. But I have to say it is so well written and the imagery so vivid. The emotions fly off the page and create an image in the mind that is unforgetable! Truly.
    The little girl trying to swing her way into safety.
    Oh my.
    I will never forget that!

    and this~

    "I'm nobody's daughter- broken childhood
    marred innocence- freckles dot my face
    like all the times you've sent me into
    my fairytale world in my head- the world
    whose doorway doesn't open fast enough
    when you come for me."

    How human beings can be so cruel I will never know! Thanks for sharing this very powerful and emotional write!
    Bravo for your courage to write it!
    and for the masterpeice you have penned!



    Justified Inc.



  • purplemoon
    March 26

    Edit | Reply
    Wonderful Emotional Depth. I liked it. It was a tad confusing but in the way it makes you think. You get a thumbs up. Bravo.

    breezes holding on to tattered
    hem of a nightgown-
    only thing holding my soul down
    silhouette against the moon
    arched pale skin- dark tears fall

    These lines hit me with a slap to the face. They were a wonderful starter to the poem they caught my attetion

    Thanks for The Entry.
    Kathryn


  • Heavenly Angel silver member
    March 26
    Edit | Reply
    Excellent imagery
    Powerful and emotional piece this is
    I thank you for sharing!


  • Shipwreck
    March 14

    Edit | Reply
    "the world
    whose doorway doesn't open fast enough
    when you come for me. " Congrats, this poem really is emotional, and the imagery is perfect for the prompt. The last line was also veryyy good. All the best in the contest


  • sharptooth
    March 13

    Edit | Reply
    that last line really hit me - i loved the abrupt ending, the image of those nike shoes hitting gravel. the metaphor of swinging worked well and it was a touching story of transition & growing up. thanks for entering

1 - 11 of 11