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Open Poetry #49
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JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana

0 posted 2016-02-18 02:09 PM



I lived in a house
painted over with thick coats of bitterness and bile
the grand dame’s face was coiled with uncaged anger
took me a long, long time to understand why
I only knew the phrase
spare the rod, spoil the child
I was only fourteen
but at fourteen I was older than they thought
my parents
quiet father (severely hen-pecked)
dominating mother who carried a big stick
and used it
my parents
husband and wife
who had hidden so many things from each other
there was nothing left for them to say
my mother was a murderer
if you’ve never wandered along at the site
of a freshly committed murder
you don’t really know the feeling of restless unease
she murdered my heart
the scratches she’d left on my face have faded
the cuts on my back and legs have healed
but the stake she’d driven through my heart is still there

©January 12, 2016 / Jerry at Bolton

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

© Copyright 2016 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved
jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
1 posted 2016-02-18 11:02 PM


Wow!  Right to the head of the nail, my friend and the ending --- well, that was perfect!

jimmy

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
2 posted 2016-02-18 11:15 PM


Yeah, unfortunately it is the truth also, Jimmy. Thank you for checking me out tonight.

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

2islander2
Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825
by the sea
3 posted 2016-02-19 10:09 PM


this is so sad, a life is not enough to forget such "scratches" and people",

"loved" my reading


yann

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
4 posted 2016-02-19 10:15 PM


You are so right, Yann, about "a life is not enough to forget." Thank you very much for the "feel" you put into your response to my poem.

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
5 posted 2016-02-20 10:34 AM


Wow, Jerry!
That's as honest as a writer can spill it out there. Very sad indeed, especially when the heart gets pierced by someone who's supposed to love you.

Communication is always a problem, like this classic line you wrote...

"who had hidden so many things from each other
there was nothing left for them to say"

I think your father should have stepped up
intervened. No matter the intensity of the circumstances!

Well you've come a heck of a long way my friend.....Write on!!

Eric

true love never looks after it's own interests

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
6 posted 2016-02-20 10:45 AM


Thank you very much, Eric. Yes I used to hope that someday my dad
would ball up his fist and, as Jackie Gleason used to say,
send her to the moon, if not that the floor would suffice.
But of course it never happened.

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

DaysofView
Member
since 2014-04-01
Posts 433
Just A Slice Of The Pie
7 posted 2016-02-20 10:51 AM


That's awful the things that happened to you Jerrypat. Talking about bad things helps a little sometimes. The important thing is not to do those things too to other kids. I feel bad for you Jerry and I hope good things happen to you from now on!

If I were more than I am, I'd see things differently instead of the same all the time.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
8 posted 2016-02-20 11:00 AM


Appreciate you kind thoughts, DV. You said . . .
"I hope good things happen to you from now on! "

I have run the gauntlet through the years, from the bad to the good.
There is no doubt that my childhood was a major influence
on how I lived my life. Those two lost decades of my life I blame on her.
Took me a long time to begin thinking positive. I am living good as a result.

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115
South Africa
9 posted 2016-02-20 12:05 PM


This is so sad, Jerry.  Those years must have been rough for you but you had the strength to survive.  No doubt they shaped the way you lived your life which I presume wasn't ideal but I think you came out of that too and of that you can be proud.  
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
10 posted 2016-02-20 12:15 PM


You are right, Helen, on all points. Would that I could have shed that misery at a much earlier age my life would have been more positive -- and better. I am grateful that through my poetry and my novels I was, eventually, able to do it, which is making my last years peaceful. Eh, but as you see by this poem and others, I am not completely free from those years.

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

rainyday
Member
Posts 304
Heartland USA
11 posted 2016-02-21 08:05 PM


Taking JP's face in hands..keep writing friend,
you are a Dear survivor.

(((Hugs)))
J

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
12 posted 2016-02-21 08:16 PM


You are so very sweet, rainy. The image your words have given me is precious, like I can really feel the softness of your hands. Write. That is all I can do. I have explored so many parts of my life with my pen, but there are more, much more to write about. I write about my life so much I am sure many wish me to stop. And I do every so often. Thank you, rainy, I appreciate your generous comments.

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

MissMarti
Member
Posts 87
USA
13 posted 2016-02-22 10:04 AM


Jerry, I am so sorry you lived with this severe disfunction. I certainly understand though as my life was similar but it was my father with his big belt. My mother was meek and very timid. Fortunately he drank himself to death and life improved slowly!
I loved reading this as it shows how much stamina we have to heal and carry on with our lives!

Hugs, Marti

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
14 posted 2016-02-22 10:22 AM


So sorry to hear about your life in the early days also. Yes, thank goodness he drank himself to death. At least that gave you a better chance in life.

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

MissMarti
Member
Posts 87
USA
15 posted 2016-02-23 09:40 AM



Jerry, I have a great life now! I am married to the man of my dreams, I have 3 beautiful, success children, and 4 little grandbabes who are fantastic!

It took many years to recover, but I Did It and I am proud of who I have become.

hugs, Marti

"He wI'll lead you safely through all things:
And when you cannot stand it, He will bury
you in his arms"
           St.Francis deSales

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
16 posted 2016-02-23 09:57 AM


I am proud of you overcoming your past, MissMarti, I pretty much have also, but I still feel the need to write about those day.

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

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