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Open Poetry #49
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Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere

0 posted 2015-10-22 11:30 AM





I got distracted by denial of your demons,
I was entangled in the chains of your charming.
I confused chemistry’s control for love.
I dug in to that disaster and held on
as if to save my life.
I could not,
would not
listen to my weakened
and wiser self
until it was too late.
By then,
in my madness,
I conceived my daughter,
of whom I’d been foretold.
In my womb she was awash
with my emotions,
anxious and frantic
much too much of the time.
I tried to fix you
for her.
Tried to make sense of you
for her.
Tried to keep you alive
for her.
Had to save myself
for her.
But it was too late
for her
and me
ever to be normal.
I carry the guilt
and my shame
of your possession
and the damage done
from staying.
It hurts to see her struggle.
It hurts to see her hurt and afraid.
It hurts to hear her sound like you.
I think I could forgive you
if I didn’t hate you so.
I wish I could forgive myself
if I didn’t hate me so…

LGR©10/22/15


© Copyright 2015 Lori Grosser Rhoden - All Rights Reserved
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
1 posted 2015-10-22 11:39 AM


I am definitely aware of a hate that strong, Lori.
I carry mine around to this day. But people are
pretty resilient, and hopefully your daughter will
work through all her problems.

~*~ When they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
2 posted 2015-10-22 11:47 AM


God bless her heart she is really trying hard to get her ship together. I am really proud of her. ~L
Ticklefingers
Senior Member
Posts 710
Louisiana
3 posted 2015-10-22 11:56 AM


Hi Miss Lori,

Please forgive the 'brew-ha-ha' below, but its your fault for writing this powerful and intriguing poetry.

The attraction of love and love's attraction has caught many of us off guard, as it should I suppose. If we're unfortunate enough to be on the 'love' side of a one-sided love, only the worst (emotionally that is, not children) can happen.

Children, I feel, are always a blessing under any circumstances. After all, they are the innocent of any flaring passion or even rape.

One can't be defensive and be in love, in my own opinion. Shields must be down and locked or it will bounce right off. Vulnerability and hurt are just two things we must be willing to endure if we seek it out for ourselves.

This, I find most telling in its intensity in terms of the dangers:
quote:
I think I could forgive you
if I didn’t hate you so.
I wish I could forgive myself
if I didn’t hate me so…


We must be careful to know who is really doing the 'talking' when we say these things. I think you and I both know who the 'author' of hate is.


Warm Regards from Ticklefingers

Keep ing  

She told me "play one for your supper Danny and maybe you'll get breakfast".

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
4 posted 2015-10-22 12:11 PM


You are right TF, and I know I am only hurting myself. I have made my little bit of hell that I drag daily. The rational part of me puts it in God's hands and knows it will be okay. But the physical and emotional parts of me raise such a ruckus it is hard to keep that in focus.
I appreciate your thoughts very much. ~L

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