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Open Poetry #7
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Faces of the Night (Child and Sexual Abuse Awareness Months)
| Open Poetry #7 |
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Faces of the Night (Child and Sexual Abuse Awareness Months) |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
I. Screams of terror never heard, Broken wings, red-breasted bird, Bound to bed-post, child defiled, Father dearest, sin reviled, World's Greatest Dad, t-shirt read, Upon stained sheets, childhood bled, Tears ran dry, locked bedroom door, Flight of robin, nevermore, Questions asked as justice sought, Were the answers all for naught? Life in prison, court enraged, Mourn the robin, evermore. Locked in prison til he dies? Nevermore the robin flies, No good Bastard, I scream why? Evermore for robin cry. II. Was nine o'clock on Monday morn, ...when victim took the stand, "Do you swear to tell the truth?" ...as raised her trembling hand. "Will you to the judge relate, ...events of fateful night?" She told of horror, told of pain, ...as rapist sat contrite. Questioned by two lawyers, ...distinquished suited men, With anguished voice and tearstained dress, ...lived through the rape again. "When my client left that night, ...what was his final word?" "Bitch, would you rather live or die?" ...she said, "That's what I heard." She lowered head, no question asked, ...did down at floor then stare, "As I lay upon the ground," ...I said, "I do not care." Silence on the courtroom fell... Silence. III When he was young he wet his bed, And ended up with busted head, Although a child, he did not cry, Instead he prayed that he would die. One day he spoke, said I am hungry, As he searched the empty pantry, Instead of food, he got the belt, Across the back, an angry welt. When he was twelve, he ran away, Out on the streets, no place to stay, In darkened alley, boy did find, Depths of evil, the human mind. The boy grew up and lived his life, Grew successful and took a wife, No one would guess the life he led, Back when a child, when wet his bed. That is but one, his faithful wife, Who felt the wrath of his past life, No way to know, no way to warn her, As she cowered, in darkened corner. IV How do you tell a child, He'll make it through the night, In your arms you'll hold him, 'Cause love will make it right. Daddy said he loved me, Then carried me to hell, Love's become my demon, Inside will ever dwell. Never had a childhood, Within dark shell I live, Hate will ever fester, I never can forgive. Should he go to prison, To pay for what he's done? Should I love my Daddy, Am I my father's son? What the hell is justice? A legal term of art, Misery and suffering, Is all it does impart. How do you tell a child, That things will be all right? Now I lay me down to sleep, O' God, I hate the night. V. Please don't tell me life is fair, My only friend is named despair, My daddy "tweaks," my momma's dead, Who I've replaced in daddy's bed. Daddy loves me, or so he said, Now he's got Aids, soon I'll be dead, Like I would tell, about my life, That I've become my father's wife,, "She suffers from depression's well," Cannot they see, I live in Hell? Just turned fourteen, feel sixty-eight, I wonder who, I am to hate? It matters not, I just don't care, My only friend, is named despair. VI Why do you weep in solitude? What sorrow does your tears contain As you withdraw in quietude, To hide within your walls of pain? As you traverse adversity, Upon winds try, to break wings free, Allowing none within to see, Inner sanctum, soiled memory. Wing mockingbird unto the skies, Adrift upon life's cooling breeze, Leave behind pain's woeful cries, And glory in life's harmonies. On fettered wings, you seek the sky, On broken wings, you ever cry. [This message has been edited by Mike (edited 04-19-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Mike - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Tess Member
since 2000-03-22
Posts 288Australia |
I'm rather at a loss of what to write here. The poetry is wonderful. the magnitude of scenarios heartwrenching and depressing, and unfortuantely so true. But certain images stand out..the silence in the court...the depression..the demons...the lack of will to live...how I wish we could break the cycle. "Love is the only drug you can take that will convince you each time that you've never had it before." ~author unknown~ |
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Marina Member Elite
since 2000-02-10
Posts 2245Pickering, Ontario |
WOW!!! I had to reread this several times to take in all that was said here. My heart goes out to you my friend. I can imagine how incedibly difficult this was to put to paper. An extremely powerful piece. Your flow and rhyme scheme impecable. I truly thank you from my heart for posting this. Challenge very well met! Marina |
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Meadowmuse Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263 |
"As I lay upon the ground," ...I said, "I do not care." Mike, there's too much truth in this poem for me to be objective. Thank you for putting these words together. Please share this with everyone you can. ~ Claire |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Mike, I have no words for the magnitude of feeling you opened with your wrenching grief stained poetry...you have written on my heart. |
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poetFemmeFatale Member Elite
since 1999-07-25
Posts 2646Arkansas |
When at first I saw everyone posting all the poems of child abuse, my heart cringed...as I am one who forever cries at all the injustice in the world, especially for the children. I've let several poems slip by me, as I just couldn't bring myself to read them. I saw you had written something, so I decided to give one a try. I had no idea what I was stepping into here, so many scenarios, as someone else said. But I couldn't stop reading...as I read, I could hear many voices, all from different places, crying out....small voices. Indeed, thank you for sharing this heartwrenching journey. Awareness is the key. As hard as it was for me to read, I feel more aware now. So many victims, and not enough ears to hear. I humbly bow to you for your strength in writing this, and sharing. You never cease to amaze me sir. |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
this is by far one of the most extraordinary pieces of work Ive ever read... it gave me chills and held me to every word...and now takes my words... thank you for sharing it... take care, please jm Well the sun sets gently on your shoulders And it makes me want to touch you there. And the light in your eyes makes me feel Like there's something much better out there Something kind... And I know someday I might be looking around Trying to find some purpose Well purpose it can't be that hard to find As long as I've got the wind... The wind and your love to carry me. vertical horizon |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
This is too good to let slip away--back you go! |
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bobbycat Member
since 2000-02-06
Posts 233USA |
I have read all of the other child abuse poems written here, and they are all excellent.....but your poem was the one that actually moved me to tears. Wonderful, wonderful poem.  Bobbycat =^..^= |
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Jeffrey Carter
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367State of constant confusion! |
Masterpiece!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing else need be said. Jeffrey |
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Tara Simms Senior Member
since 1999-08-12
Posts 1244Honea Path, SC USA |
As the others have said, this is amazingly powerful! You've painted a mural of abuse in its many forms. Excellent work! |
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Butterflies_dont_cry Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733Michigan |
Mike, These are all amazingly painful and chilling, you have opened a door in my heart that has been locked for quite a while...I'm not sure what you reached to as you wrote but I offer an **Angelwing Hug** for it asks NOTHING in return. You have written well and hopefully opened many eyes. Take care. Hold me for yesterday Kiss me for tomorrow But love me for today. |
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Mistikman Senior Member
since 2000-01-10
Posts 682San Jose, CA, USA |
OMG, thats about all I can think of to say.... This poem has such power and force, it left me rather speechless... All I can do is sit here and ramble on about how deeply this hit me... |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
() () () () () () () Tears of a child lost............. Truly magnificent Mike! |
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A Romantic Heart Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-03
Posts 5496Forever In Your Heart |
sad!!! |
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Jeffrey Carter
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367State of constant confusion! |
BTT |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Child abuse should be at the top of the list of social concerns, just as these verses should stay at the top of this forum, and that's exactly where they are going right now. Extraordinary work, Mike Liz |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
I was not going to respond, not because I do not truly appreciate the responses, which I sincerely do, but because of the personal nature of the poetry. We just had a jury come back with guilty verdicts against a father who for a period of several years molested his 7 year old daughter and the appellate court came out today on one of our cases indicating that it is indeed rape to get a 14 year old girl intoxicated for the purpose of having sex with her. I only write this to perhaps to a small degree emphasize what a truly heinous and widespread blight on our society child abuse is and remains. |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Mike~ So poignantly done. Praise be to the jurors that heard the case of the seven year old and meted out a measure of justice. The appellate court likewise for their findings. Thank you for sharing what had to be difficult to write. I'm aware you've had to see it from the judicial side and I'm sure that many times the outcomes were not as successful. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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LoveBug
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-01-08
Posts 4697 |
This is one of the best poems I have read in a long time. It brought me to tears... it was so real, I could see and feel every situation. Great job. "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." -Oscar Wilde |
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