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hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA

0 posted 2000-03-04 10:18 AM


(This was posted some time ago in Open...it is based on a true story. The child was beaten and eventually died by the hands of her mother. The body of her brother was found dead several days latter in an abandoned lot stuffed inside a suitcase. Through all, the mother plead her innocence.)

Innocence

Multi-colored bruises
cover her skin,
dark against the stark whiteness
of the walls, the sheets,
and me.

Motionless and small,
she becomes an extension
of the many machines
keeping her alive.

Seizures rack tiny limbs.
Spasms controlled by fluids
bleed into minuscule veins
through which life’s liquid flows.

Innocent,
she fights for her life
while her mother fights the court
pleading innocence.

Billows fill her lungs,
breathing life into death
while holding the inevitable
off for fractions longer.
The rhythm steady;
the reverberation like poetry
and above it all I hear another sound.

Sobs, are now clearly heard,
and I glance around the room
to find the source;
before realizing,
they are coming
from me.


< !signature-->

 Have you ever noticed
That the words...
"Goodbye"
"I'm sorry"
"I love you"
Are so easy to pronounce
...Yet so hard to say
~Javan


[This message has been edited by hoot_owl_rn (edited 03-04-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved
Danny Holloway
Member Elite
since 2000-01-15
Posts 2034
Tulsa, OK
1 posted 2000-03-04 12:25 PM


The sadness in this piece is overwhelming.
Will never understand a parent that could harm their own children.  Insanity for sure!
Written so well Hoot!

Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

2 posted 2000-03-04 12:46 PM


powerful and sadly disturbing piece, true life tradgedy...you have a very tough job.
this poem speaks of your compassion.jm

 ...every moment of every day...
your still with me in every way.
every poem and song...
every rhyme and verse...
your still here...like a beautiful curse.
janet marie


Pepper
Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079
Southern Florida
3 posted 2000-03-05 11:45 AM


Oh Ruth .... This tore at my soul .... something I can never understand .....
Very powerful and heartwrenching ... I can hear and feel your sobs and I share them .........

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
4 posted 2000-03-05 12:24 PM


Thank you Danny, Janet Marie and Pepper  
KimW
Member
since 2000-03-04
Posts 268
Medford, Oregon, USA
5 posted 2000-03-05 04:07 PM


wow.. many emotions were provoked while reading this.. the sadness, the anger and the pure disgust that anyone (especially a parent - and of all things, the Mother) can hurt a child.

What a sad and true reflection of things happening in our society.

Your days and nights at work must be a rollercoaster of elation when someone is healed and the depths of sorrow when someone is lost. I, Imagine that when you leave work, parts of work are shut off.. but not everything. Some events must stay hauntingly with you.

This really brought out feelings and emotions within me.
This is a very powerful poem.

Kim

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
6 posted 2000-03-07 08:24 AM


Hoot owl I feel for you sometimes...I know that your nursing job can be very rewarding but in situations such as this it seems to be sad and stressful.   This is lovely writing.  I pray God will comfort you and dry your tears.   James
StarrGazer
Senior Member
since 2000-03-05
Posts 679
Texas
7 posted 2000-03-07 10:59 AM


Very well written, I read this yesterday and  the imagery kind of stuck with me.  It's one of those awful truths about todays  society that we try to ignore thinking it will go away ... Good Job  
hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
8 posted 2000-03-07 12:00 PM


Kim, Jim and Stargazer....thank you  
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
9 posted 2000-03-07 04:20 PM


This was chilling and powerful, Ruth.  Wonderful work.


Michael

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