Children Are Deer

For those who are offended by confidence, or lack thereof.

We all know at least one of those people.

Dead shy, dead quiet, live wire.

Jump at sudden noises, never up for combat.

Ducks away from your touch like they expect a fatality.

We’re only mortal, and death is an eventuality:

Inevitable, but hardly indelible;

Scuff your heels in the dirt and the prints get stepped on.

It’s incredible, there’s no kind of certainty

Of whether it’s better to disappear or be remembered -

For what would be remembered? Would you

Plan for the future, knowing all was doomed to fall?

Would you ever feel it was worth getting out of bed at all?

Time is short, you oughta live, quit worryin’!

Tell it to their faces and watch their faces turn inward.

Watch ‘em scurryin’. It’s scary: put your hand out and they’ll flinch,

Reach for the shoulder and they’ll squeak, for the arm and they’ll wince.

Dare not you ask whose touch hadn’t been sweet.

Watch them dance in the dark all alone, and realise

That they stand there so it’s harder to see them. Thank them

For their time, see them squirm, didn’t know that you were there,

And wonder who taught you that it’s rude not to stare.

You can think someone is awful, so long as they don’t know.

Say somebody’s strange, but please don’t enjoy the show.

Words are shotguns, and children are deer,

And children are sponges for everything that they hear.

Backstage is for the gossip, for the freaks to be announced;

The clowns wouldn’t last without smiles painted on their mouths.

Feedback is encouraged, but when one only knows reproach,

Please don’t be offended if I am startled upon approach.

Reviews

[Clockwork]

I certainly know a few people like this, and I consider myself to be one of those people. Sometimes life is a constant battle between deciding if you should be seen or heard. I think your poem really brings that internal strife to life in an accurate way.

This poem shows a deep empathy and understanding for the social ghost of the world. People who have a lot of life in their souls, but fear how others will interpret their true souls.

I like how you encourage those who fear speaking to live for now in lines. These lines were some of my favorites: Time is short, you oughta live, quit worryin’!/Tell it to their faces and watch their faces turn inward."

I am also very found of the line with the metaphor that gives this poem its title "Words are shotguns, and children are deer." Those lines are a fresh take on how our words can change the lines of others. You remind us to live our lives while being mindful not to harm other. Well done, my friend.

[Bee C.]

I consider myself a bit of a "social ghost" also. There's a lot of fear in exposure, of putting yourself or anything you've done out for others' judgements. Expectations can be a cruel thing.

Anyhow, thanks for the kind review, and for stopping by to read. I'm glad you enjoyed it so.

[Moonlight]

Awesome and very touching! The last line really.... I don't have words to describe it. You have portrayed the entire scenario so beautifully! The insecurity of the quiet .... Amazing job! And those words out there.. they are wise words indeed! Love this piece. Thank you for sharing! :)

[Bee C.]

Thank you, for stopping by and leaving such nice feedback! :)

[Moonlight]

You're welcome! :)

[Ragini]

Wow! Awesome!!! :D Very touching..:)

[Bee C.]

Why thank you!! :D

[C. Lee Battaglia]

Awesome! I really liked it. It touched me a lot!
Keep on writting!

C. Lee Battaglia

[Bee C.]

Thanks very much! You're very kind.
I surely will!

[C. Lee Battaglia]

You are very welcome!