Tug-of-War ( a true story)

Poem about something that actually happened to me when I was small

 

Tug-of-War

(a true story)

 

In my mind’s eye

I am in my grandmother’s kitchen

I am a four-year-old orphan

Visiting for the Independence Day weekend

I had been living since my mother’s funeral

With my aunt and her life partner

And I guess the rest of my family thought

That was not a good situation for a small girl

Because somehow, the weekend turned into a week

So I am in my grandmother’s kitchen in Florida

When my aunt comes charging in the door

Her partner grabs me and heads for the car

But my brother and sister see her

Trying to escape with me

They each grab an arm

And she is holding my legs

And they are all pulling on me

And I’m screaming

My aunt is trying to hit my grandfather

With a pair of brass knuckles

But he knocks her backward over a stove

In self defense, and in defense of his home

Finally, my brother and sister wrest me away

And rush me into the bedroom

Where they lock the door and wait

For the excitement to die down

My arms and legs feel

As if they have grown a foot in a matter of minutes

And my mind is blown

At the thought of the people I love

Fighting over me this way

And the stand I must take

That will divide my family

Like some crazy fault line

Of broken loyalties and shattered innocence

I never asked for this

I just want to visit my grandmother, who spoils me

And then go home to my aunt, who spoils me

And not have to worry about being the rope

In a crazy game of tug-of-war.

Reviews

[Jessica{is inspired by ..]

That sounds like a horrible situation to be in. To be, literally, torn between two sides of your family that you love must have been awful!

It is a shame that people feel that children shouldn't be raised in homosexual households. Like it is something you can catch and then you are "one of Them!" What people don't realize is that those children are just as likely to be heterosexual as any child raised in a heterosexual home. They just like to think that they need to "save the children" from a "damaging" household.

People can be so unfair sometimes, unwilling to accept the lifestyle of another person and in the crossfire they hurt an innocent child who probably had no idea what was going on.

Good write!

Jess

[Hitman "The Clean..]

Hmmmmm...another interesting poem. Nicely written. The subject is a difficult one. Your experience is vivid in the readers' mind. Loud and clear. The title and symbolism fits perfectly. Well done.


Yours truly in the dirty business,
Hitman

[Berserker[Diktator Von ..]

You really did a great job. I am glad that you were able to finally be able to post it. It was a great read, it flowed very well. I felt like I was there with you in that room, that is how vivid and discriptive this piece was. Great Job...keep up the great work, and keep writing always....=)

Love,
Berserk

[KAREN BROWN]

that's a horrible thing for a child to go through.Family should share the happiness of a child all together.when someone passes it seems sometimes people only think of what they want and thats gonna make them happy not what is best for the child. sorry you had to go threw that.your poem was very heart felt thank you for sharing it with me.

[BenightedWhispers]

Oh how sad. I agree with Jessica, it sounds like a horrible situation to be in. I cannot begin to imagine what it must have felt like. A very touching poem. Fantastic job.