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Open Poetry #7
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~Sticks and Stones~... for Child Abuse Awareness
| Open Poetry #7 |
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~Sticks and Stones~... for Child Abuse Awareness |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
**Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words will never hurt me. ** **Like paper and glue, the evil you say and do, will stick back on you. ** --------------------- Simple nursery rhymes, innocent childhood verses ... Sorry, I wish to disagree, I still live in the shadow of spoken curses. Fists and blows will indeed break bones, but angry words of rage cut damn deep. And all these years later ... I can still hear the shouting in my sleep. The bruises fade away ... but the damage of the words ever linger. The fragile ego of a child, crushed permanently by a condemning, pointing finger ... DO YOU KNOW HOW STUPID YOU ARE? ( yes, I think now I do) WHY ARE YOU SO UGLY? (I don't know, everyone says I look just like you) NO, NOT NOW, IM BUSY! (yes, you always are) GET OUT OF MY FACE, GO AWAY! (yes, I'd like to go someplace far) ARE YOU DEAF AND DUMB? ( I must be the way you scream and shout) WHY ARE YOU SO PATHETIC AND WEAK? (could it be my low esteem and all my self doubt?) Its not the bruises I remember ... its the mean things that were said. The words that make a child cry at night, and the ones that make an insecure girl wish she was dead. But in time that little girl grows up, and she fights to make her own way. Always feeling like a woman interrupted ... always knowing certain pain ... will ever stay. So she's a mother now ... but this cycle she has broken. She knows how certain words can hurt, and in her home, these words are not spoken. If you will remember only one lesson from this ... let this message be heard. Think before you speak ... and never under estimate the lasting effects ... of a "meant to hurt" word. Janet Marie 4/19/00 "I've tried to tell you ... but its fallen on deaf ears, how hard you've been on my heart ... if you break it ... you'll pay for it ... if you break my heart ...you will pay for it... you should know, everything you do ... every mean little thing you do ... it all comes back on you. Dianna DeWitt. [This message has been edited by Janet Marie (edited 04-20-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Janet Marie - All Rights Reserved | |||
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mariee66 Senior Member
since 2000-01-30
Posts 596Recess, OfYourMind |
Yet another well written poem~ Nice job~ Marie~ |
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Songbird Member Elite
since 1999-12-15
Posts 2184Missouri |
Good for you Janet Marie. Sadly some children have to get tough or die. I am also glad to see such a good attitude with your own children. |
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Jeffrey Carter
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367State of constant confusion! |
Good job Janet Jeffrey |
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Butterflies_dont_cry Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733Michigan |
 J.M.** You know how to say and how to make me feel it...yes the bruises fade and the pain goes away but the words seem to echo forever. **AW Hugs**Hold me for yesterday Kiss me for tomorrow But love me for today. |
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Aimster Member Elite
since 2000-02-19
Posts 4297Charlotte, NC |
-Janet You always do this....take my words and breath away! This was unbelievably poetic perfection. I felt every word with my entire heart and felt as if I was right there along w/ you. Your sunshine girl stands in awe as always and realizes she can learn much from you!! Love ya, Amy ~Live today as though it were your last but prepare for tomorrow as though it were here~ |
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A Romantic Heart Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-03
Posts 5496Forever In Your Heart |
Janet this was great! |
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netswan Senior Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 1369Washington |
Yes, Janet, I see now how I stole your words ---LOL Great poem, as usual! sticks and bones will break my bones but words will never hurt me. BS! I agree with you and feel your pain. Abuse, so many do not know - what abuse really is. So many forms ------and darn right words can hurt you! And silent treatments, too. Just, Janet, when sometimes they come a haunting you, JUST, please remember the stupidity and ugliness of their source. HUGS netswan |
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kaile
since 2000-02-06
Posts 5146singapore |
love this poem,esp ur third stanza...very descriptive terms.... i'm glad you are a survivor!Way to go,girl!  ")  |
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tracie66 Member Elite
since 2000-01-18
Posts 4713Australia |
Janet Marie~ Your words are so true, my husband was a victom of physical and metal abuse as a child from his father and what you said is true it is the verbal abuse which has carried through to his adulthood, the bruises and scars faded but to this very day he is still very insecure about certain issues and especailly the word idiot, even when joking I have to be carefull not to call him an idiot or stupid, it really cuts deep. Sorry this is so long but your poem just made me think about my husband and what his father did to him. Tracie~ Keep all the windows of your mind open Anne Rooks |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
thank you guys...you warm my heart...truly. we are all quiet comfort for each other... its healing for us all to know there are others who understand...and by the huge amount of replies to this challenge, it is apparent ...far too many of us have lived this pain. thanks, love ya all,jm |
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Marina Member Elite
since 2000-02-10
Posts 2245Pickering, Ontario |
You are blowing my mind girl! You are a truly amazing and deciet human being. I have never seen anyone give so much of themselves to so many wonderful causes. I throw flowers to your feet! Thank you so much JM...for everything. Your friend, Marina |
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