Cracks

Holding you
Whispering
"It'll be okay"
But not believing it myself

You are not alone
Don't be afraid
I won't go too
Pulled from your small arms

Holding you
Then you lashing out
Kicking me aside
Shutting yourself off
Healing slower
Than a car crash victim

Wailing that split the night
Told;
"You don't know!"
But little did you know
I cried
And I cried
Like silent raindrops
They fell

Each hit
From your small fists
Like a bullet
Piercing my heart

Moving from place to place
Feet barely touch the ground
Then finally
When you stop
Every second
You expect to leave

Bouncing back and forth
House to house
Mother to father
Father to mother
School
Weekend
Weekend
School...

Can't stop this train
One to another
****
Feeling like a tool

Do this
Do that
Lists of expectations
Remember them all?
Impossible.

Yet we have to
We don't like that
No
But we have to go on
Doing it anyway
Until we leave
To be on our own.

-For Emily

Author's Note

I will read your poems for sure!

Reviews

[Lackadaisical Lenny]

The disdain for complacency is plain, I dig it! But...you don't ever have to settle for any less than what you want. Bittersweet and I like how it's written.

[Ethan]

Hey beautiful ladies, thanks for so much of love, I'm bit lazy to type individually so typing to everyone! THANK YOU for stopping by, reading and enjoying!

[Katrina Mckeown]

A very compassionate and deep write... I could feel pain and anguish flow out from this piece. Good job Ethan

[Lea Sheryn]

Very good. Wonderfully written.

[Karmee]

this is a really good write, I enjoyed this.

[Rye]

Such a deep write, full of feelings. Barley girl says it all. Awesome display of feelings.

[barleygirl]

This is a very well-stated poem, where you paint a situation that's easily felt & recognized. I love the way you use a repetitive series of observations to show going between parents & school, etc. This must be a feeling many kids from broken homes would feel. But if I were Emily, I would not really appreciate that you are writing about my life in this way. Some personal details like this are better left for a person to write about one's own life. I've had caring poets try to describe my life in a rather hopeless way that I do not actually feel myself, but which this person felt FOR ME. It was not a good feeling to have this posted here at the cafe, describing my life in such dire terms. Just thought I'd share that. Your poem is strong & vivid & true, but I wonder if it really feels so good to the other person? (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris]

...and perhaps - for Ethan as well.

Welcome to WC... is a good place to pause and ...grow.

[Onlyme]

Very touching and emotional expressed Emily, heartfelt and sincere. Made me want to cry. I could feel your pain and heartache. Just flood from within this piece out. Families and situations, let alone life can be so cruel sometimes.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Sometimes people can feel alone in the midst of a family as the expectations are imposed and one cannot see oneself matching up to the task. This poignant free verse is both touching and sad and up to your amazing standard Ethan.