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Open Poetry #1
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Nightmare and A Mother's Prayer
| Open Poetry #1 |
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Nightmare and A Mother's Prayer |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap 
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Another night within these tortured walls, Stale fear, like incense, hanging in the air; The newest stains still drying in the hall, Mute witness to the wounds that bled them there. The clock -- oh hateful instrument! -- ticks on. She winces at the sound; the time so near When this too-fleeting solace will be gone And her beloved tormenter will be here ... And on her lips, a silent litany: "Dear Lord, you know I love him; make him see!" The crunch of tires upon the gravel drive Like breaking bones, resounding in her ears. She prays "Just let me make it through alive.." While fighting back the soul-consuming fear. The door swings wide; she manages a smile To greet the shadow lurking in its frame, But holds no hope of lulling him with guile: This night, like all before, will end the same. As he looms close, she sends a desperate plea: "Dear Lord, you know I love him; make him see!" The children in their bedrooms safely barred, (A mother's ward to keep the beast at bay), Small comfort, for she knows their minds are scarred. Her heart constricts, remembering the day When first the eldest scampered to her aid, And swiftly learned -- tho' such a tender tyke -- That such outright defiance was repaid In equal coin, to wife and child alike. That night, she nursed her battered child of three, And prayed: "Dear Lord, we love him; make him see!" The time flew swift, the weeks becoming years, The days too short; the nights, an agony. Her prayers, reduced to pleas, baptized in tears, Asked not release, but lesser injury; The eldest child, her badge of courage plain, (The bruises livid on her youthful face), Green eyes afire, teeth clenched against the pain, She pleaded, "Mommy, please, let's leave this place!" Afraid to stay, but terrified to flee, She whispered, "Lord, we love him; make him see!" One dark night, sorely beaten at his hand, And knowing coming hours held only more, And wishing for the strength to make a stand, She prayed, as she lay broken on the floor: "I've heard 'what doesn't kill you makes you strong,' And thanks to You, he hasn't killed me yet; But Lord, it's been this way so very long, I ask You, how much stronger must I get?" "Let this night be the last, I beg of Thee; Dear Lord, you know we love him -- make him see!" She slipped into the welcome darkness then, (Her body having borne all it could take), She never saw those haunted halls again; And doctors whispered she might never wake. Her husband locked away, as he deserved, Two weeks, unwaking, near to death, she slept. Her eldest ever at her side, unswerved By others doubts, her faithful vigil kept. When at last her mother woke, she whispered, "See, God knew we loved you; now He's set you free!" ------------------ "Nunc lento sonitu dicunt, morierus" (Now as I hear this bell tolling softly for another, it says to me, "Thou must die.") [This message has been edited by Nochtdraco (edited 08-30-99).] [This message has been edited by Nochtdraco (edited 08-31-99).] |
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| © Copyright 1999 Linda Anderson - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Wolfgang Member
since 1999-05-24
Posts 124Hamilton, Ont. Canada |
WOW...this is one powerfull piece of poetry! |
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Tara Simms Senior Member
since 1999-08-12
Posts 1244Honea Path, SC USA |
I can barely see to type. That poem brought tears to my eyes (in fact, they are still flowing). I grew up in an abusive home and your word choices strike to the bone: "beloved tormenter", "outright defiance was repaid....to wife and child alike", "nursed her battered child of three". I love the way you captured the way he beat her spririt down. She starts off praying for the beatings not to happen, only to end up begging for "less injury". You've shown how after repetitive blows, victims really do believe they deserve this mistreatment. She's too weak to leave, but asks the Lord "how much stronger must I get?" BRAVO! |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
WOW is right. You have captured exactly what it is like to live in a torured environment. You have brought it too life very vividly. |
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Tim Senior Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 1794 |
an impressive effort. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Truly an excellent piece of writing ability. |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Simply beautiful. This is so well written, so moving that I have tears in my eyes (that's a compliment from me!). Well done. |
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Pepper Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079Southern Florida |
you have truly captured the battered-wife syndrome...so very powerful...thank you |
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moonmoon Member
since 1999-08-13
Posts 277TX , USA |
Beautiful indeed..It is so well portrayed..Sadly, this is a haunting truth in many unfortunate lives..  Thanks for sharing..  ------------------ "No one was ever ruined from without; The final ruin comes from within.".....Amelia E. Barr |
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traveler Member
since 1999-08-17
Posts 119 |
wonderfully written .... opened old wounds ... you captured the terror of any child growing up in such a mess ... not that I wanted to relive it again ... still striking how you were able to present it ... hope one day you can let go ... |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Well done! |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Excuse me while I get a tissue! You have done a great job with this! This brought back those feelings I'd rather forget. Most excellent job! |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap |
WhtDove, Traveler, and Tara ... my heart goes out to you, and to all children and spouses that have to endure this kind of life ... I was not the spouse but the child, and it took me so long to finally understand what was going through my mother's head ... Balladeer and Tim, I am relieved to learn that I have a "piece" of writing ability and that I am capable of "impressive effort" (kidding, of course ... I know what you meant and I thank you humbly ... well ok not humbly but thanks ...) Suthern, moonmoon, Severn, Wolfgang, dsnyder,and pepper ... I thank you for what I consider expert opinions (though I could be biased). I have never read a poem here that I didn't like; in my book, that makes you ALL certified 'sperts. Thanks again ------------------ "Nunc lento sonitu dicunt, morierus" (Now as I hear this bell tolling softly for another, it says to me, "Thou must die.") [This message has been edited by Nochtdraco (edited 08-31-99).] [This message has been edited by Nochtdraco (edited 08-31-99).] |
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caroline Senior Member
since 1999-08-16
Posts 1218http://members.xoom.com/belladona123/index.htm |
This has to be the most magnificent piece of poetry I have read in many years. It is perfectly crafted, powerful, emotional, and spine-tingling. It brought me tears, anger, fear, hope and love all at once. It is truly a masterpiece of words, Nochtdraco. ------------------ The only man worth your tears will never make you cry... |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap |
Your compliment is well received (though probably undeserved), caroline. Thank you. Nocht  ------------------ "Nunc lento sonitu dicunt, morierus" (Now as I hear this bell tolling softly for another, it says to me, "Thou must die.") |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
This IS staying near the top for awhile. Everyone should read this. |
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