deepundergroundpoetry.com
cement
it’s hard to feel that you’ve been loved
when your most lasting memories
are of the insults more
than being told that you were loved
to kids a word can leave an impact like
a fingerprint in wet cement
and your mind’s filled with fingerprints…
long since hardened
so that the grooves remain
and so become
characteristics of the whole
a voice telling you
you’re stupid
fat
useless
stays with you and informs
all that you are
when your most lasting memories
are of the insults more
than being told that you were loved
to kids a word can leave an impact like
a fingerprint in wet cement
and your mind’s filled with fingerprints…
long since hardened
so that the grooves remain
and so become
characteristics of the whole
a voice telling you
you’re stupid
fat
useless
stays with you and informs
all that you are
Published 24th Jan 2023
Author's Note
I’m not sure if this is any good, though I rather like the cement simile. I felt compelled to write a poem about emotional abuse. The tone is naturally bleak, but there is always hope. Counselling has helped me a lot.
Emotional abuse is an odd thing. Those who say they’ve experienced it can be seen as petty and self-absorbed, but it’s a very real thing. What you say to a child as their parent or guardian or loved one sets a template as to how they see themselves that can stick with them for life. I still struggle to try new things or commit to tasks because the template in my head is that I won’t understand and will fail at it.
Emotional abuse is an odd thing. Those who say they’ve experienced it can be seen as petty and self-absorbed, but it’s a very real thing. What you say to a child as their parent or guardian or loved one sets a template as to how they see themselves that can stick with them for life. I still struggle to try new things or commit to tasks because the template in my head is that I won’t understand and will fail at it.
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comments 5
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Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
24th Jan 2023 5:43am
Leaving aside the question of good or bad, the poem is certainly true. I am 78 years Jung and still carry the wounds of a wicked stepfather who attacked me verbally multitudes of times.
Imho, the poem is a good poem. Stands on its own and fearlessly shouts out the truth. You’re rocking.
Imho, the poem is a good poem. Stands on its own and fearlessly shouts out the truth. You’re rocking.
24th Jan 2023 11:23am
Brave write mate. "and your mind's filled with fingertips" is a poem in itself.You posses the self-awareness and nous to not let it define you.
Bullying is simply vile. There was a lad at school who was bullied beyond the pits of humanity. One of my few regrets is not trying to help him at the time. Shame on me really. It created a broken man.
Bullying is simply vile. There was a lad at school who was bullied beyond the pits of humanity. One of my few regrets is not trying to help him at the time. Shame on me really. It created a broken man.
31st Jan 2023 8:19am
24th Jan 2023 11:18pm
19th Feb 2023 00:59am
