Things Change

This is based off my experience when my parents divorced.

I jumped awake to what sounded like something breaking. Groaning softly, I sat up as I listened to the familiar sound of my parents arguing. I glanced at the clock hanging on the wall above my bed. 8:07. What could they possibly be fighting about?

            I peeked out of my room, watching them standing in the kitchen, Dad waving his hand in front of Mom's face as his voice echoed throughout the entire house, and Mom shoving him away as tears of anger streamed down her cheeks. They said things to each other that made me cringe, their words of hate and anguish causing the ground beneath my feet to shake. Once, I heard Mom say she was going to take Ben and me and leave. That was the first and last time I ever saw Dad hit her.

            I sneaked across the hall to Ben's room. He was lying there on his bed, earplugs in his ears. His music blasted loud enough to where I could hear it from the opposite side of the room. I walked to his bed and tapped his arm.

            He looked at me and pulled out his earplugs.

            “Can I sit in here with you?”

            “Why?”

            “I don't like when they fight.”

            Ben sighed softly and pulled me up next to him. “Me neither, Callie.”

            “They're supposed to love each other. That's why they got married and had us, right?”

            “Well, things change.”

            Ben was right. Three months later, my parents divorced, and we began dividing our time between them. I found that the constant yelling that once occupied the space within the walls of my house was not near as bad as the silence that took its place.

            Ben graduated from high school a few months later, and then it was just me, the ball between two rackets. I'd go to my friends' houses sometimes and see their parents smile at or hug each other, mocking me and my broken family.

            I began to hate everyone.

            My mom would come into my room to talk, but I would pull the blankets over my head and wait until she left. When Ben would come and visit me, mom would eavesdrop on our conversations since it was the only time she would hear me talk extensively; so Ben found himself pushed outside my small circle along with everyone else.

            One night, while I was watching out my window, I saw the back yard, the browning grass under the old rusted swing set a father built for his children. I saw a little girl running with arms outstretched towards her parents. I saw a young boy, chasing after her with a wide smile on his face. I saw a mother and father kiss, and the grimaces it ensued on their kids' faces. And as I watched this family, this unfamiliar family, I whispered, mostly to that little girl, “Things change.”

Reviews

[rickm97]

WOW! Impressive! Wonderful writing, Mia. Pour out your heart, girl, and let it bleed through the words that you write. Make me feel your tears streaming down your face. Make me feel the wretched pain in your heart as it stabs though to your soul, never quite reaching it, though. Your soul is strong; let it shine forth in a healing literary light.
I'll read more of yours, if you read one of mine. "Coming home fallen" is a little long, but would love some feedback.
Don't ever give up on your writing, Girl. You have a wonderful native ability. Polish it into a skillful craft.

[Captain Rilen]

To see this after reading the previous piece is quite emotionally striking. It saddens me to see this, yet still feels very relate-able. I'm sorry for your situation but am deeply intrigued by your writing. You are quite talented.

[Mia]

Thank you so much! It is very relieving to me that my writing can touch others.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree.
“Things change.”
You told a story of real life and left the reader with a logical ending. Thank you for sharing the excellent story.
Coyote

[Mia]

Thank you for reading my work. But I have one request. Would you mind reviewing Leaves of Autumn? It is so closely related to your poem that I want to know what you think of it.

[Coyote Poetry]

I did. The story was outstanding.

[xenofei182]

This is powerful stuff. Luckily my parents never really fought around us and my dad has never hit my mom so I'm not sure I can relate to this, but that's just me and I know there are many out there that have experienced the same family problems you did. I loved how you included the brother as someone who is kind enough to have open arms with his sister.

I am new here and looking to get to know other fellow poets. I'll try to post my own work up soon as soon as I get my laptop fixed.

Great job.

[Mia]

Thank you, sir! If you like poetry, would you mind reviewing my poem Cruel Companions?

[ResiNoth]

This is really well crafted! Depressing, yes, but I think in a way that many people can relate to, and I think the emotion in it is conducted to the reader quite well (which is the goal of all good writing, imo :)

[Mia]

Thank you so much :)