They Call it Separation

A poem about a fight my mother and father had during my 3rd birthday. It also depicts how they later ended in divorce.

They call it separation
a designation
for isolation

Being two
I didn't know what to do
I didn't know what to feel
or think
But I watched it sink
I watched it fall over
right before my eyes
but I never cried
I was just two
I didn't know what to do

Or was I three?
Why was daddy leaving me?
No, I didn't wonder that
I just knew I was with mummy

I remember daddy when
it was my birthday and
He made silly faces
He laughed at me making
silly faces

A pretty little birthday cake
A pretty little girl
A pretty little apartment
My pretty little world

But I remember that birthday
Maybe I was two going on three
I remember daddy playing with me
I blew out my candles
and he stayed with me

And I remember the pretty balloons
sprawled across the floor
I couldn't ask for more
Those balloons, they were pretty

Until one popped
Until one popped and snapped
Snapped at the other
because he was unhappy
or was she unhappy?

And to this day I can't stand
to hear a balloon pop
I feel something might break
maybe a heart might break

They called it separation
a designation
for isolation

I think it did not end until
my brother was barely one
little brothers were no fun
He'd scream while they screamed
I was the only quiet one

But being two
I didn't know what to do
I just needed it to stop
and I was glad when it stopped

Still, I didn't care
I knew mummy wasn't going anywhere
I watched daddy leave us
but mummy was right there

Wait...no, we left him
He stayed with the apartment
and the balloons
And we went with mummy

What was this?
No more funny faces?
Why live in different places?
I think they...

I think they call it separation
a designation
for isolation

Author's Note

I would like to know what you get from this, I feel maybe my words were too scrambled, but let me know if it was easy to understand.

Reviews

[The Cougar's Den]

aw, yea, easy to understand and, as an adult, you probably understand it way better than you did then...Great write, such a poignant slice of life - often repeated in echoes across the world. "Why can't we all just get along?"

Good job. Thanks for sharing such a bittersweet piece of you. Bittersweet because everything in our past makes us who we are today.

[patricia]

I got so much from this. A good piece of work with a personal theme that reminded me of some of my own childhood experiences. I like how you interpreted the popped balloons effect on you and its connection to what was happening at that time. And how if effects you still. Thankyou.

[OT]

I thought it was very coherent, a touching story! It flowed well, I understood it fine!! you write with strong emotions, which shine through your words! a great write Holly (although in the title seperation - to - separation)!! well done!!