Backhand

What is that scribbled aspersion behind your eyes

one astride invective and the backhands will fly

filter your tongue lashing or the tooling will flog

excruciating anti snap and i'm on 'your mother's' case

'be' more like her and you'd not force the hand

no realization that the kick and guff did it for you

wiser with the passing of august's deadened light

five minutes and time can stand still for eternity

no more tocks for that mouse o'clock

back flash it and history repeats a caution

when the breath ceases no rain shall fall 

there'll be more judge and jury abreast me

                                                            

Author's Note

This might not make sense to many of you but I needed to wrangle it from my head and pen it. Once when I was 17, I arrived home five minutes late and my 'father' hit me so hard he broke my nose and in the meantime broke his watch on my face. It stopped at the exact time he hit me, and afterwards he bragged about it, how he made time stop at that precise moment, blahblahblah. All this because he thought I was with 'boys' which was a big no no.

Reviews

[David Scott]

I felt unsettled as I read the poem. The authors note made me furious. How could a man call himself a man and ever harm a woman. More so, his own child! I just don't get it.
Somehow goodness came from his blood in you. Your life his unearned salvation.
I give you my tears.

[Frieda P]

Thanks David, that's one of the memories that stays fresh in the mind, no matter how much time passes. Appreciate your kindness.

[Carolann Dowsett]

Wow. Reminds me of my childhood too. I'm sorry you had to go through that Frieda. A very strong, powerful poem and very brave of you.

[Frieda P]

Thanks Carolann, and my sympathies, tough way to 'try' and grow up.....

[Carolann Dowsett]

Yes, as you know every day becomes a fight for survival. I think I 'grew up' before I could even walk. Makes you very aware and insightful though.

[Frieda P]

True, but what a way to learn those traits.

[Carolann Dowsett]

Yep I'm sure there would have been an easier way. :/

[Frieda P]

Yep, like growing up with wolves!

[Carolann Dowsett]

I'm sure that would have been quite lovely in comparison.

[Frieda P]

EXACTLY!

[KeeD]

Your father's a dick. Flag this comment, I don't give a rats a*s. Indians discipline their kids to better their futures, Italians to teach them family values, children around the world get scolded and corrected but which parent breaks a kids nose and then brags about it. F*****g demented. Well whatever it is, glad we have you here with us Frieda, you're the pillar of this site and for me you're not only an inspiration, a friend, you're also an aspect of strength that all the kids here should look up too and learn something from. Everyday I learn something new through your writing or from our goofy conversations. You teach me no matter how messed up life is, be positive and joke away the tears. Come over for lunch now, I'll cook specially for you!

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

What a forceful poem... the words really punch you in the gut... but with the subject matter that is perfect... those who abuse are in need of a good butt kicking.

[KAOlmsted]

Very powerful emotions fueled this piece, and I felt them with each word. Bleeding this poison from your veins by writing about it is the best way to cope sometimes...thank you for sharing this with us, Frieda, and stay strong.

[kublakhan27]

I know this is a small consolation for one who's had to endure such a violation of their youth, but you survived, and a stronger woman because of it, and a freer one...I do believe freedom was one of the items on that checklist :) If he's still alive, I can assure you there WILL be a time in his life when regret begins to haunt him...and if he isn't, I can also assure you that his sleep is anything but peaceful.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for the Author's note. Still no excuse for hitting your child. The poem described a bad situation. Thank you for sharing the excellent poem.
Coyote

[Tree]

A really evocative piece, Frieda. Sad and powerful this poem has the force to move... Those are moments we can never forget. Thank you for sharing this


Diego

[Frieda P]

I only wish the the really good memories reverberated so much emotion as those bad that stick in the mind. Thank you my friend.

[LA Lorena]

the last two lines say so much. sad story, angry poem,, THIS? I don't wonder about. Most would feel the way you do.

[Frieda P]

It's just something that stays with you, I'd have endured a thousand slaps over the other, I think it bothered me more that he gloated about it...if that makes any sense at all. Thanks LA.

[quinfinn]

so...how long have you been abusing mushrooms, and do you have any more? but seriously, when i read this the first time i felt like you were on a really high high, you know , much like mushrooms and or good cush...but after reading the author's note i felt somewhat ashamed of my initial reaction and actually went to that place in your past and wanted to strike your father in your defense. wow, girl...oh how different this write reads now. big hug...

[Frieda P]

You know quin, sometimes or often I should say when I write these things, it's as if I'm not writing them, they just flow and write themselves, and when I look back I have sort of the same reaction you did, like wtf? ha...but I know what they mean, that's why I felt I needed an author's note, I don't usually bother with that and let the reader take their own journey. I figured you guys think I'm already frootloops, so...
Thanks so much for your kindness, as always. Love those hugs x