2008 Poetry - Human Mortality
One bitter night with company of two -
Strong gin and tonic, glass of raspberry blue.
Lounging together, minding our space;
Sparks of tension fly all over the place.
What could I possibly discuss - I tease,
It is not possible to speak with her at ease.
She is merely a sip away from total panic
And I could see my gnarly hands already becoming frantic.
Your hands are shaking, she comments.
Thanks, I reply, and I spread out my sentence.
I should have kept my mouth shut she said,
But if I had, I know now, I would have been dead.
One wrong turn down the right path -
I was immediately faced with a fist full of her wrath.
As the blood starts gushing from my lip,
I try desperately to avoid the seams beginning to rip.
She lunges again, this time to meet my side,
My breath escapes me, and my tears threaten to cry.
Past and present begin to merge and blend -
Again, I find myself begging for it to end.
Memories lock up reality and force me to wait
While my mother beats me into a sorry state.
Little slides of adolescence flash ever so bright;
None of this abuse could truly be right.
How much of it was my imagination, I did not know;
Most of the images were so quickly on the path to go.
Crumpled paper hearts and fierce dying scars,
Vomiting so many times I would wake to see stars.
Flying insults and knives and photos burned,
Slaps across the face, ankles twisted, tables overturned -
Could humans really be so hateful and vicious?
Was I everything else to my mother but precious?
A blow to my kidney brought me back to find -
A rather helpless daughter, and a mother who was blind.
It would be over as soon as it had begun
And in the morning, she would not know the harm she had done.
Her grip is tight and her blows are severe,
But somehow I manage to sprint away with fear.
My hate ignited like a flaming match dropped on a line of gas -
It was painful, for I am the only one she has.
A deep clanking confirms my bedroom door is locked.
Now her adventure inside my mind will forever be blocked.
I should never let those little things get to me,
However, I will only be as human as I was born to be.
Written: August 1st, 2008
Strong gin and tonic, glass of raspberry blue.
Lounging together, minding our space;
Sparks of tension fly all over the place.
What could I possibly discuss - I tease,
It is not possible to speak with her at ease.
She is merely a sip away from total panic
And I could see my gnarly hands already becoming frantic.
Your hands are shaking, she comments.
Thanks, I reply, and I spread out my sentence.
I should have kept my mouth shut she said,
But if I had, I know now, I would have been dead.
One wrong turn down the right path -
I was immediately faced with a fist full of her wrath.
As the blood starts gushing from my lip,
I try desperately to avoid the seams beginning to rip.
She lunges again, this time to meet my side,
My breath escapes me, and my tears threaten to cry.
Past and present begin to merge and blend -
Again, I find myself begging for it to end.
Memories lock up reality and force me to wait
While my mother beats me into a sorry state.
Little slides of adolescence flash ever so bright;
None of this abuse could truly be right.
How much of it was my imagination, I did not know;
Most of the images were so quickly on the path to go.
Crumpled paper hearts and fierce dying scars,
Vomiting so many times I would wake to see stars.
Flying insults and knives and photos burned,
Slaps across the face, ankles twisted, tables overturned -
Could humans really be so hateful and vicious?
Was I everything else to my mother but precious?
A blow to my kidney brought me back to find -
A rather helpless daughter, and a mother who was blind.
It would be over as soon as it had begun
And in the morning, she would not know the harm she had done.
Her grip is tight and her blows are severe,
But somehow I manage to sprint away with fear.
My hate ignited like a flaming match dropped on a line of gas -
It was painful, for I am the only one she has.
A deep clanking confirms my bedroom door is locked.
Now her adventure inside my mind will forever be blocked.
I should never let those little things get to me,
However, I will only be as human as I was born to be.
Written: August 1st, 2008