The Stress of Both Worlds

As the poem continues, the child gets older and expresses how they handle the divorce still. Inspired by the song Two Houses by Matthew West *Meant for spoken word poetry

Two people
Two words.
"I do."
But for how long before it breaks?..

For as long as I can remember, it's always been two of everything.
Two Christmases equals twice the gifts..
and being handed off twice as much.
And whoever says two is better than one clearly doesn't have a split family.
Why didn't you get me this week, were you too busy for me?
Both houses feel so cold without both of you here to come home to.
Take a step back and look..

Mommy, I don't understand why Daddy wasn't enough for you. This new guy doesn't love me like Daddy does. Does he even love you?
And Daddy, I don't understand why you're never here when I wake up. You stay gone so much.
I don't understand why you're screaming at each other and Sissy is always crying.
Why is everyone so upset? 
Why are you fighting over us? Did I do something to make you stop loving each other?
I don't want to remember the hurt in your eyes when I said I wanted to spend time with the other parent.
I still hold Mommy's hand..
Why don't you?

Is the lonely feeling supposed to go away over time?..
Because I can't seem to keep anyone around long enough to fill the void.
I guess you taught me well.
My sister is my closest friend because she's the only thing that's ever been constant.
Mom, can't you please just stay in one place for more than a year.
These houses feel colder than your heart.
I wish you would understand why I don't want to unpack my things anymore.
I just don't see a purpose.
Why can't you see I'm so tired?
And Dad, I'm so sorry I left. I just can't stand the way your wife loves Sis, but has never loved me.

And, "How was school?" Sounds so much better with four ears to hear the answer.

Having twice the stuff is never worth the heartbreak to your excited parent that the other already got it for you.
And for the record, Mom, thanks for dropping my hand to take husband the third's.
Does being in a different state let you escape the sounds of me crying that I miss you?
They make phones for that.
But you wouldn't know if I didn't call. 
You may be hours away, but you carry my heart in the palm of your hand.

 

I don't see how everyone is moving on and I'm still here.
It's been so long and I wish I remembered better days.
All I really want is to say that I was really a kid once, that I didn't grow up too fast.
But I was taught not to lie..
And that trust runs short and nothing lasts forever, especially not love.
He loves me, but why can't I seem to stay without being scared?
I can't help the anger that rises and boils underneath when people talk about their perfect families.
Other kids wonder what's for dinner, when all I can wonder is when I'm going to see my sister next.
Mother, I love you, but you've taught me what I never want to be.
And Dad, you've always been my light through the dark tunnel of my life. I'm sorry it took so long to let you know me.

I never stopped loving you both, I just wish it had been that easy for you..
"I do."
..So why couldn't you?

Author's Note

I know this isn't my usual style, but I wanted to write this differently. I'm open for reviews :)

Reviews

[Chris Yip]

Wow, heart wrenching stuff! Frustration and pain boils through between the lines and words express the girl's longing for her parents to be together again. Feelings of being less loved and understood echo throughout the poem. Well presented Fonts and line arrangements. Well thought out. thanks for such an emotional write and ride from a young daughter's point of view.

[Alvin L. Kathembe]

Wow, this is an amazing write...it smacks of authenticity and flows really well from start to finish. It would make a magnificent Spoken Word piece!

"And whoever says two is better than one clearly doesn't have a split family."

Heart-wrenching stuff, I'll say again, from a persona whose heart has been wrenched apart...you really brought that out magnificently.

Your writing has form, as well as substance.

Thank you for sharing this, and keep writing!!!

[Archia]

Oh I adore this, it is so heart-wrenchingly sad. The last two lines there just wonderful, but still so filled with sadness. I think it really adds to it the different colours, I don't know why though, it just does.

[reflectingus]

I'm touched by this poem. It sounded perfectly what would go through the mind of a girl whose parents are divorced. I love the way you used simple words, plain and understandable, and yet demanding and insecure. It is great to try different styles sometimes. Good job!

[~ Stefanie ~]

Wow, such heartbreak and sadness in these lines. A kid longing for acceptance and equality. A child longing for the promise of forever to keep their family together. This is such an emotional write and I could feel the pain and sadness behind every word you penned. This is so well-written and I like the color scheme that you chose to write it in, because I think it adds another depth to the piece.
Fantastic job and thank you so much for sharing this!

[jyfjygfgujhglkjgkutgfvk..]

Great poem!! Packed with emotion like a good peom should be!! Loved it

[Danielle]

You did a really good job showing what a young girl has to deal with when her parents are divorced. Very well written & full of emotion.

[Richard Layne]

Very sad and depresses me Alana. You did a good job here expressing your feelings from a young girl's point of view.

[tkersh]

Very nicely done. You get right at the heart of the emotion. It is heart wrenching.

[Thea]

This is very unique...I like the creativity in this poem! Nicely done!
Keep it up!
:)))

[Lyghea]

beautiful. I can relate to it practically perfectly... although, I don't particularly like my alcholic father - it's still the same feeling. It feels like no one is there because no one is ever home when I get off the bus from school. I have no friends, and I try to talk to my brother... but it's hard... it's hard to talk to anyone these days. Thank you for being an inspiration to my poems...(: this was absolutley one of your best pieces.