deepundergroundpoetry.com
INVOLUNTARY ACCOMPLICE
Oh to have been born suspenders
To support trousers without any shame
Instead I’m a belt that frequently renders
painful screams when wielded to maim.
I keep up the pants of a sometimes bully.
When he’s drunk, as a weapon I’m used.
If sober from loops he rarely removes me.
‘Cept in anger a loved one is bruised.
History used as justification,
“My daddy beat me black and blue.”
I was passed down by that generation
to ensure whippings continue.
Doomed to recall every child’s tear
Every cruel beater’s hundred-proof chuckle.
The remorse I feel, yes, is severe.
Eclipsed only by that of the buckle.
To support trousers without any shame
Instead I’m a belt that frequently renders
painful screams when wielded to maim.
I keep up the pants of a sometimes bully.
When he’s drunk, as a weapon I’m used.
If sober from loops he rarely removes me.
‘Cept in anger a loved one is bruised.
History used as justification,
“My daddy beat me black and blue.”
I was passed down by that generation
to ensure whippings continue.
Doomed to recall every child’s tear
Every cruel beater’s hundred-proof chuckle.
The remorse I feel, yes, is severe.
Eclipsed only by that of the buckle.
Published 6th Aug 2018
Author's Note
Inspired by the "Personification" competition. Note that I was fortunate to have never been beaten by my parents. Okay maybe a bit psychologically. I follow their example but I try not to damage any psyches in the process :)
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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8th Aug 2018 10:40pm
The belt is a fine choice for the comp. They are wielded more than worn by far too many. I'm glad it wasn't your parents. Mine were gentle too, until it came to psychological warfare, And even that, fortunately, was rare. Excellent write.
8th Aug 2018 11:18pm
Sir Crow, I am glad that you too were spared that kind of trauma. I've often that beating are more to satisfy the anger and frustration of the beater than the poor victim. I think through reason and caring we parent better. I become a blithering idiot when I get angry so I don't go there often.
Thank you for your comment!
Thank you for your comment!
9th Aug 2018 9:22pm
Dear Bob..,
I came racing over here while still under the ether of the competition outcome, in a symbolic gesture of celebration - with virtual glasses of champagne to toast your victory!🥂
However, after rereading your very worthy write, I suddenly felt solemn as I set down my flute of bubbles.
And thought back to when I was a little girl, listening to stories that were retold many times throuout my childhood (where I was never the recipient of physical/ psychological punishment/ belittling) of how, throughout my maternal grandmother’s youth, she was beaten unmercifully with a thick leather trunk strap by a cruel step-mother. No, this isn’t a story from the Brothers Grimm.
I won’t say more than this, my friend;
I am here to confirm that the win has gone to a deserving piece. And, it has just come to me, how the host initially wanted happy, upbeat, funny writes. But the ones that were preferred of both yours & mine by him in the long run, had to do with violence & war, but that behind it all, was the humanity of: a belt, and a curtain.
That, my friend, is the underlying morality.
Now... to that... I think we can toast.
Jadey🥂
I came racing over here while still under the ether of the competition outcome, in a symbolic gesture of celebration - with virtual glasses of champagne to toast your victory!🥂
However, after rereading your very worthy write, I suddenly felt solemn as I set down my flute of bubbles.
And thought back to when I was a little girl, listening to stories that were retold many times throuout my childhood (where I was never the recipient of physical/ psychological punishment/ belittling) of how, throughout my maternal grandmother’s youth, she was beaten unmercifully with a thick leather trunk strap by a cruel step-mother. No, this isn’t a story from the Brothers Grimm.
I won’t say more than this, my friend;
I am here to confirm that the win has gone to a deserving piece. And, it has just come to me, how the host initially wanted happy, upbeat, funny writes. But the ones that were preferred of both yours & mine by him in the long run, had to do with violence & war, but that behind it all, was the humanity of: a belt, and a curtain.
That, my friend, is the underlying morality.
Now... to that... I think we can toast.
Jadey🥂
9th Aug 2018 10:25pm
I thought it would go to a funny piece as well. In his updates he seemed most enthused about the humorous writes. I'll read your curtain piece right now. It was an enjoyable ride.
I am so sad to read about your grandma. My step-mom was more of the psychological beater.
Cheers!
I am so sad to read about your grandma. My step-mom was more of the psychological beater.
Cheers!
