PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

I was enjoying a quiet moment in the bookstore when bursting through the door

followed by her mom and dad…came a little girl…I imagine around four.

She was wearing sunglasses…her hair was full of curls

and the minute she entered the store she waved, she smiled…and she twirled…

She ran right over to an orange book and held it over her head,

“Mommy, orange is my favorite color…let’s bought this book” she said.

“That book is orange but it’s not for children.” Her mom said.  

The little girl did not get mad

Instead she smiled and ran to the back of the store saying “I think I’ll go ask Dad.”

Dad agreed with Mom.and the little girl told me, “We’re not going to bought it.”

as she gently returned it back to the very shelf from which she got it.

Next she saw a Pokey Little Puppy shirt and she did what young children do

She said, “Mommy can we bought this…it’s my favorite color…blue.”

Again her mom refused and I must admit this is the best time, in a while, I’ have had

watching her run with the shirt to the back of the store saying, “I think I’ll go ask Dad.”

As she returned the blue shirt to the rack she found another and quickly changed her tune,

when she held it up and asked me, “What color?” I answered, “That one’s maroon.”

She smiled and said, “That’s my favorite color….Her third since she came in I might add

and clutching that maroon shirt to her chest she quickly ran to Mom and Dad.

As I witnessed the way her favorite colors changed I couldn’t help but feel glad

at the innocence of one so young…but also at the patience of her Mom and Dad.

They spoke to her respectfully, they didn’t get annoyed or mad…

I believe you can learn a lot about the child by watching Mom and Dad.

And as this little adventure unfolded before my eyes it was plain for me to see

just by watching her mom and dad…the kind of person she’ll grow up to be.

As they were leaving, with a book in hand, she stopped, she waved and she twirled…

and I found myself smiling as I waved goodbye…to one of my favorite little girls.

Budding child
Cried for joy
laboured books
Arrested for hours
Exploring the nature
Strong desire of hour
Realising all stress
Father took out for ride
Joyfull looks
tried capturing all around
All at once a gentle blow
Hammered by mom
How did u do!
I did well mom
Double hammed mom
Was it just well or best
I did very best mom
Oh! god you are so kind
My son! did best in test
Shuttered all joy
Hammer upon hammer
Or father drove home quick
All at once
Remembered how i were
In screwed childhood.

Golden hour

              Madhanala Shaila Prasad

Golden hour reminded by gone days,

Tit- bits of being together

Still fresh as love at first sight

Courtship days filled with hope and sorrow

Travelled all the way as Adam and Eve

Till heavenly one bestow an angle

Day in and day out no other to do

Each day fell too short to

Narrate how she grew

Cloths that she put on

Alerted mere childhood

A quality time to hangaround

Material world would allow me

Conquer the world around

But, not at the cost of

Flitting childhood days of angle.

Sally came running in the door…”Grandma I have a secret!” She yelled.

It’s a really, really good secret…but I promised not to tell.”

“I want to keep my promise but you don’t know how hard it’s been.”

“Trying not to tell anyone…trying to keep this secret in.”

Sally looked up at her Grandma…her wide eyes, big and blue…

“Grandma can you help me?  Grandma tell me what to do?”

Grandma took Sally out to her back yard saying…“There’s something I want you to see.

They sat down under a very large oak… “This is my secret tree.”

“Grandma…” Sally laughed …”This is not a secret tree!

Everybody knows about it…everyone can see…”

Grandma put a finger to her lips…and gently shook her head

“The tree is not the secret, silly…it’s what it holds.” she said.

Ever since I was a little girl…and a secret was given to me

I’d hurry home and sit right here…underneath this very tree.”

“And when I was sure I was alone…that secret I’d retrieve

then I would let that secret out and share it with the leaves.

And so this tree is filled with secrets…every secret I ever brought

secrets she will never tell…and some I’m sure I’ve long forgot….

With that Grandma stood up and walked away…happy as can be

leaving Sally all alone in the shade of her secret tree.

On her way to the house Grandma turned around and smiled…

She couldn’t be sure but she believes

Sally was whispering to the tree

sharing her secret with the leaves.

October's raring to get us high on sugar
with temperature falling

In an elevating freight elevator
I overheard a conversation between two adults

behind their ragged full grown beard
which could hide their faces

but failed to hide their
childish love for colorful things

They were discussing if
skittles were even considered candies.

Elvin and Leroy were baseball players
From the time they were six years old
And best friends since the early days
A million baseball stories to be told

Their entire lives had been consumed
By the game of baseball which they
Played together all through school
Then pro-Negro league as Blue Jays

Even in retirement baseball was key
Games at the ball park and on the t.v.
Indeed – it was a sad day when Elvin
Passed away from a cardio infraction

Poor Leroy was hurt and felt so alone
He had always had Elvin by his side
And now without – was totally thrown
Unable to handle that Elvin had died

Leroy missed Elvin so much that he
Kept talking to him – always his plea
“Please let me know how you’re doing
So I can quit all my silly brooding”

But nothing – no answer from Elvin
Until late one night – in the kitchen
Leroy was talking - asking his friend
For a message – some sign to be sent

Leroy was sitting at the table and
Heard Elvin so asked – “that you man”
Without hesitation the voice of Elvin
Clear as day – “It’s me – good friend”

Leroy was both shocked and ecstatic
He started talking and then did ask
About baseball in heaven – and Elvin
Said – “Leroy – it really is heaven”

“They got baseball everywhere and
You should see the fields and parks
Just like we used to dream and plan
And got beautiful lights after dark”

“That is wonderful news” – said Leroy
“Wonderful – is there any bad news”
Elvin began tentatively – “well old boy
There is some bad news I brought you”

“What bad news - Elvin ” – Leroy asked
“Tell me – whatever - be what it might “
So Leroy started slow then said it fast
“Elvin - you’re pitchin’ tomorrow night”

There are certain things
That all children know -
Flowers bloom in spring
When all the birds sing
The sun helps things grow
And melts the fresh snow
Rain washes things clean
And helps with gardening
The good times - playing
And bed time for praying
The very best balloons
Big ‘n round as full moons
And without any strings
Moving as the wind blows
Yep - children know things
Like - don’t step on toes
The moon is Swiss cheese
Leprechauns wear green
And all angels have wings
Yep – children know things

He was both not there

And my savior

All in one

Because when he WAS around

He protected me

I was his daddy's girl

I was the most abused

He did what he could to help

Usually by doing dishes

Mother would get pissed

How dare a parent help

Their child

Their blood

Let them flounder 

Let them fail

So I can win at one more thing

And hold it over their head

He helped

But only so much so

Too timid to really fight

Too quiet to speak up

She ruled over us all

She was  the queen

If she wanted something 

You fetched it

And I did everything

To take care of our homes

The many apartments

We called "homes"

As soon as I was old enough

To hold a sponge

I was doing dishes 

Once I was old enough to cook

I made dinner every night

If not 

You faced her wrath

The anger that would spew

From her nostrils

Her eyes glowing red 

And a quick flick

Of her tongue

And the beatings

She would give

Once he passed

It was free for all

Into early adulthood

The abuse continued

I was conditioned

When I left

It trickled to my brother

She continued to abuse her child,

But now it wasn't me

And my father wasn't there 

To save him

Sticks and stones….

By jfarrell

(I don’t know the origin of the saying, but heard it often growing up)

“Squeal for me, little piggy”

Uncle Brian screamed as he beat us with his belt buckle;

He and his friend raped my cousin and I, aged 5;

“You always were a girl”

My dad screamed (after he heard);

Beat me so bad, I passed out.

“I wish I’d had you aborted….”

You can guess who said this to me;

Though she could hit hard, her tongue always hurt worse.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones,

But names will never hurt me.”

This was a favourite saying of dad’s… as he let loose.

Funny…

45 years later…

The scars from the beatings have healed up…

But the pain from the names….

And everything associated….

Twists like a knife in my heart, today.