Leprechauns and Licorice

The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west.

There is a harsh reality to face.

I am two people.

I am a child, hiding under the covers.

Mom lashing out at life, with an old leather belt, for what it did to her.

Black rosary beads neatly tucked away under her pillow.

I quiver as I wonder what I did wrong and wear long, concealing hand-me-downs to hide the welts.

I sit on the wall after school eating licorice and smiling in the sun while I examine the red strap marks on my skin from last night.

Listening to 'Stairway to Heaven' in my bedroom.

I wait for Dad to return home from work.

He is grumbling about a job he hates that pays little.

Too angry and tired to play catch with me in the yard.

So I throw the ball to no one and run and get it myself.

Meanwhile, he slaps her across the face for her disrespectful, rebellious insolence and unwillingness to compromise.

Asking if she wants a divorce after weeks of silent treatment.

I count the hours 'til resolution.

Vacillating between heaven and hell.

It never comes in a lifetime stalemate.

A marital Mexican standoff.

I ultimately pay the ransom.

I am a spritely leprechaun with a three leaf clover in my pocket.

Searching for one with a fourth leaf and a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Seeking humanity and dancing a jocose jig while I wait.

Catch me and I will grant you three wishes in exchange for my freedom.

The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west ...

... and leprechauns and licorice are still waiting ...

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Wow, this packs a punch Pete. Such a sharp contrast from my own childhood. And I felt those red welts, oh yes I did. But what I like most in this poem is the way you never lost sight of your dreams. Looking for the four leaf clover, searching for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Using those as coping methods. Don't ever give up on your dreams. Some kids have really traumatic experiences at the hands of their parents, and others and my heart bleeds for them.

Chris

[Pete]

thank you for your deep understanding & optimism Chris ... :)

"Music is perpetual, and only the hearing is intermittent." - Thoreau

[Chris Shaw]

Another great quote from Thoreau. Thanks Pete.

[Madeira]

A wonderful piece, that tapped into so many emotions, an exploration of how a child's mind deals with traumas, loved this thanks for sharing

[Pete]

thank you Madeira. i am humbled by your empathy and openness ... :)

[TerryDarcy-Ryan akaSh..]

Wonderfully written, I got alot out of this short piece. A front row seat into something we dont talk about and how you used your unique defense mechanism's to survive. Very joyful to use a leprechaun and licorice in your youth. And oh how all these things the joy and the ugly condition us to the people we have become. What a happy thing it would be to be a leprechaun, then everyone even your parents would want to follow you to the end of the rainbow. Great Job. Thank you for sharing and God Bless

Sheer Terror

[Pete]

thank you Sheer. appreciate your kind thoughts and taking the time on this. not the most pleasant piece but you are ever the optimist, able to see the bright side and it is much appreciated.

[Hebe]

I have to commend you Pete for this write... not at all easy, but I felt your words and related to them on so many levels, then it all made sense why our styles are so similar an AHA moment!... very raw and potent expression. Release is one way to heal the wounds.

[Pete]

thanks Hebe. yeah, not easy & damaging growing up in a dysfunctional household. thank you for reading something most wouldn't want to.

[grey.eyes]

ooh goosebumps, that happens when i read something really good. I loved this, everything about it, its sad and real and yet happy too, how the child can still smile and have hopes even with everything going at home, thank you for sharing this :)

[Pete]

thank you grey.eyes glad it touched you and appreciate the kind, uplifting words! :)

[Tony Jordan]

Psychological welts are formed so deep that they just keep thickening until they rise up into the psyche and demand to be, if not treated, then at least addressed, acknowledged.
Writing like this is one way of addressing them.
Well done on what must have been a truly painful write Pete.

[Pete]

sometimes so deep that we are blinded to reality and spend a lifetime running and hiding from the truth. thank you Tony. appreciate your thoughts, as always :)