And you didn't mind
breaking the little boy's heart
casting all your fears on him
denying still your part
=
even though he's grown now
forgiveness is not a thought
gracing your mind, is it
honoring the hell that you wrought
=
I think if you knew the power in
just saying those two few words
killing the shadows of all that hurt
leaving behind all those occurred
=
maybe just maybe it might be enough
not changing at all the past, but
overlooking the shame of his fears
pretending your words and actions had not cut
=
questions remain in all of our souls
reckoning why you could be so cruel
sifting through memories and
teeming hot, burning coals to that fuel
=
unless either justice or mercy prevail
vicious tears still flow down his sad face
wishing for only something so small as to
(e)xplaining the possibility, in your power, to erase
=
You could, if only, it was within your cold, cruel heart
Zi is Chinese for son, he wasn't yours, so you wanted no part
About the Creator
Shirley Belk
Mother, Nana, Sister, Cousin, & Aunt who recently retired. RN (Nursing Instructor) who loves to write stories to heal herself and reflect on all the silver linings she has been blessed with :)
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Dawdling is TCB
Today I was busy and distracted by all of that "busy-ness." I had groceries to buy after the ice had melted and I could finally drive in it. I was focused and had a mission. The cold January air reminded me that I wanted to be home again where it was warm and there would be, well... less people. (I am an introvert.) The problem was that my oldest son was with me. The problem was that he is a dawdler. And he always stops to talk to all those people. (He is an extrovert.)
By Shirley Belk2 years ago in Poets
Comments (9)
This was stunning and heartbreaking and what's more didn't realise it was abecedarian until the end. Thank you for sharing it as part of your submissions for the book. Reading them now and will let you know the one I choose in the comments of that piece. This is a remarkable piece of wriitng, though, Shirley. Well done!
Shirley. This was fantastic!!! Love it!!!💕♥️♥️
Wonderful telling of such a tragic story 😢
This is close to my heart. As a step-father I tell my two oldest girls I will never try to replace their dad but that doesn't mean they aren't my daughters, that I don't love them with every breath of my life.
Oh this was clever! I was so drawn in with the emotion and message of it that i didn't even realise it was an abc one until the last few lines!
Oh my Shirley this is so powerful and all withing the alphabet! Masterfully constructed and the power of it. Wow! 🤍
Sometimes it is just as bad when the son is actually kin. The story goes on and on. Narcissism reigns evil.
Omggg, you execute this so well because only upon reaching the last stanza I realised it's an Abecedarian! Your poem was so sad and emotional!
Wow, this is very powerful storytelling.