deepundergroundpoetry.com
Can't Break Me Down
I was born right before a hurricane,
Grams said it was nonstop wind and rain,
But the storm didn’t break us down,
When I was older the civil war came,
Dodging bullets is not a game,
But I didn’t let that break me down.
I’ve seen shit no man should ever see,
I’ve felt the tracers fly past me,
All I could do was just hit the ground,
I was only but eight years old,
To survive I had to be bold,
Because death makes a loud sound.
But of all the scariest things I’ve seen,
(Some of you will know what I mean)
And this one really takes the crown,
Was the time I was near my slaughter,
When I raised my teenage daughters,
But still they couldn’t break me down.
Grams said it was nonstop wind and rain,
But the storm didn’t break us down,
When I was older the civil war came,
Dodging bullets is not a game,
But I didn’t let that break me down.
I’ve seen shit no man should ever see,
I’ve felt the tracers fly past me,
All I could do was just hit the ground,
I was only but eight years old,
To survive I had to be bold,
Because death makes a loud sound.
But of all the scariest things I’ve seen,
(Some of you will know what I mean)
And this one really takes the crown,
Was the time I was near my slaughter,
When I raised my teenage daughters,
But still they couldn’t break me down.
Published 28th Sep 2019
Author's Note
You Can't Break Me comp
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28th Sep 2019 1:59am
If this was not so true, I would laugh, Wally! Teenage daughters can literally turn fathers white-headed overnight! This encapsulates that very well in contrast to everything else you've endured.
I am so HAPPY I am past all of that. Sheesh.
I am so HAPPY I am past all of that. Sheesh.
28th Sep 2019 3:02am
I was 8 (almost 9) when I got caught in a cross fire between an army group and a guerilla unit. Previous to that, I'd seen barbaric displays of inhumane treatment of people. So I became desensitized early on.
My daughters are in their mid twenties now, so yes, I'm glad that's over, but now I have to deal with teenage boys.
Still not breaking down.
My daughters are in their mid twenties now, so yes, I'm glad that's over, but now I have to deal with teenage boys.
Still not breaking down.
28th Sep 2019 3:03am
28th Sep 2019 3:08am
The tiny little country of El Salvador. A few months later my parents brought me to the states.
28th Sep 2019 3:12am
Holy crap, Wally! I was a third world missionary down in Central America for post revolutionary Nicaragua. We also traveled to Guatemala, and Costa Rica as well.
Don't know how long you've been here but I was there between 2004 - 2008, I believe. Managua was a mess.
Don't know how long you've been here but I was there between 2004 - 2008, I believe. Managua was a mess.
28th Sep 2019 3:21am
Those were some troubling years ('80-'89). I was out of there in '84 before it escalated. Now it's corruption across the region.
I have friends who go down there and for medical aid, help build homes. Many people are living in poverty and suffering from gang/cartel activity.
However, there are beautiful landscapes, great beaches and delicious food.
You're awesome for going there to help folks (and brave as well!)
I have friends who go down there and for medical aid, help build homes. Many people are living in poverty and suffering from gang/cartel activity.
However, there are beautiful landscapes, great beaches and delicious food.
You're awesome for going there to help folks (and brave as well!)
28th Sep 2019 3:31am
The country is beautiful. I didn't think I would ever see another country greener than Ireland - but Guatemala has it beat. It's just emerald there. We would ship containers down there weeks before we left so they'd be waiting for us. We helped build schools and cleared roads from rubble.
I loved their street vendors! The food was amazing.
We sailed Lake Nicaragua enroute to Isla de Ometepe on the S.S. Minnow they apparently unearthed and hammered back together. 4-5' swells had me holding onto the mast praying - I kid you not. I thought we were gone that day.
It's a shame corruption has tainted everything it seems. I worry for future generations.
I loved their street vendors! The food was amazing.
We sailed Lake Nicaragua enroute to Isla de Ometepe on the S.S. Minnow they apparently unearthed and hammered back together. 4-5' swells had me holding onto the mast praying - I kid you not. I thought we were gone that day.
It's a shame corruption has tainted everything it seems. I worry for future generations.
Anonymous
- Edited 21st Oct 2019 5:45am
29th Sep 2019 1:01pm
<< post removed >>
29th Sep 2019 11:16pm
Thank you HF,
In hindsight my experiences weren't as traumatic as others, so I'm thankful for that. Yes, good usually triumphs over evil and it becomes a history lesson later on, one that some are doomed to repeat.
As far as raising a family (using my daughters for a little humor), I think it's more patience than anything when trying our best to point them in the right direction.
Take care.
In hindsight my experiences weren't as traumatic as others, so I'm thankful for that. Yes, good usually triumphs over evil and it becomes a history lesson later on, one that some are doomed to repeat.
As far as raising a family (using my daughters for a little humor), I think it's more patience than anything when trying our best to point them in the right direction.
Take care.
