More Than a Gift Taken

My most personal piece to date.

there once lived a boy,

who held a gift tightly

at least until

someone he loved, trusted,

and even adored

snatched it from his grip

before he, himself could open it...

he could do nothing

but sit idly by while he...

his gift--- was abused

damaged at the consent

of a person---

who quickly became a monster

a monster he onced loved,

a monster he now hates...

his gift was being destroyed

before his very eyes,

and there was nothing he could do

he wanted to scream---

scream until the earth shook

and the heavens fell

until it collided with the lowest point of hell,

but he couldn't

his love for that thief---

that monster, kept his lips sealed

his unspoken loyalties

suppressed his cry for help

in the pit of his stomach...

his love that came so natural

convinced him it would stop

and when it didn't,

that same love convinced him

that was how he was to be treated---

he honestly thought,

that was it's way of saying...

i love you

but every time it

ripped or kicked a dent

in the gift that was his

and just walked away,

without a second thought

it proved him wrong

and each time it returned

his heart began to race

the surface of his skin burned,

all the while...

the fight in him grew smaller

suddenly, the desire to fight was gone,

he somehow accepted his role

his mind no longer required an explanation

it just retreated to a place

where that monster,

that thief couldn't rape or ravage it

but--- also to a place

where it missed the world around it...

a place where it never learned

to savour a sunny day

because it only sought after darkness---

a place where even now,

it roams endlessly

still searching for echos

of a voice unheard---

a place where a boy inside a man

sits alone and cries,

for his natural gift

was his innocence

and without it, he can't bare to imagine

the future, fears his present day,

and hates his past---

now, if one were to stop

and look hard enough into the darkness,

just beside the crying child

you can see the man in me

who doesn't remember...

being a boy

Author's Note

This was written during my writing frenzy when I was 18, I thank you for reading. I have survived many things in my life, this being the story of one of those events.

Reviews

[TrimarcoRansome]

This is a fantastic write! It really draws the reader in to find out more and more about you.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, comments like this make me appreciate this piece. I tend not to acknowledge it, due to how personal it is.

[TrimarcoRansome]

It is these times and people who teach us the most, there will be one day an element of thank toward them...albeit smug ;-)

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

You speak great truth, I kinda have had those days... still working on the forgiveness part.

[TrimarcoRansome]

I didn't say forgive... that is a long time coming to achieve fully. As you grow into the person you are proud to be, the understanding of how they assisted in that process grows too.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

You are still very much correct... It must all come in time. Thank you for being so endearing where you didn't have to extend such a great gesture.

[MoriartyMesa]

Oh you romantic so and so, you really have me at a bit of a loss from one Brutish Writer to another. Hidden talents, seem to be your m.o.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thanks bro, I appreciate that.

[Lydia Shutter]

Monumentally moving words in this one! When a child is physically, sexually, or mentally abused by someone he or she trusts, the consequences are far reaching. The intensity of the raw honest emotion in this one made me read it twice. No child should be robbed of innocence because once gone, it is impossible to replace. I hope you have moved past this horror in your life. Your poem is well written. Lydi**

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, your words have left me speechless. I'm truly grateful this piece was able to move you in such a way. I still struggle with moving on from time to time, but I would like to think I'm making progress.

[redflutterby]

So powerful and heartbreaking!! Most people cringe at the thought of sexual abuse..but they never truly fathom what is taken from the child. Sweet innocence...the carefree joy of playing and learning in that safe cocoon of youth. It is ripped and desolated...never to be found again. I admire your honesty in sharing what must be terribly painful for you. Thank you.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you for your insightfully endearing review... it was very painful to put into writing, this is the only piece regarding that I have ever written. (I do apologize for just responding, don't know how I missed your review)

[TL Boehm]

You can see the man in me who doesn't remember being a boy. it is truly tragic when we lose our inner child to the humanity outside our heads.
A stellar write

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, I appreciate your insightful words.

[Cassie]

Very nice poem that kept me engrossed. Loved reading it.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Cassie... your time and review are very much appreciated.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Such honesty in these words, and such emotion. I can see the tenderness of youth, and the way that something, perhaps your heart, was stolen from you and mistreated. The last lines: "you can see the man in me/who doesn't remember/being a boy" brought tears to my eyes. I think that the old addage, "we are cut deepest by the ones we love the most", fits here...when we trust, open ourselves to vulnerability, we also lower our sheild and expose the soft places that can become our achilles heel. Well done...

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

We absolutely are cut deepest by those we love most. Thank you for such a touching and spot on review. I find your words most humbling, dear friend.

[Rita L. Sev]

Entwined in this piece of pure poetry is a little boy's innocence... now recalled by the man who is the Poet. This is a spectacular, honest and emotional write. They say that no one can hurt us like the ones we love; you are both brave and wise to give form to these words, Hero.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Rita your review is both endearing and inspiring. I don't believe my pen to be very brave, but I'm trying to learn. Giving this piece to this community is a huge leap in that direction for me.

[Angi]

Travis, you write with such a gentle hand. The loss of innocence is such a shocking thing. The last lines gave me goosebumps. That child is huddled there, the man standing guard. A warrior of sorts. Nice work, man! Angi~

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Angi I can't tell you how insightful those words are. I have a piece I wrote years after this one(about 10 yrs), it describes that very concept. I didn't draw the link between the two myself til just now, after reading it in your words!

[Angi]

That is awesome! You should post it as a companion piece to this one. Tell how it was written 10 years after. That might be interesting. Angi~

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

I will definitely consider posting it. I just have to sit down and read it over a bit, much like this piece, I don't read it very often.

[Sami Khalil]

This is a sad one and full of heartfelt emotions that tears up eyes. Thank you for sharing...:)

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you for reading/reviewing, my dear friend.

[Sami Khalil]

My pleasure...:)