A WELL TRAVELED HEART

HOME

North Sea

Written by

Cynthia M. Sheward

in

Truth runs thin in homes
diluted by pills and alcohol.
There’s no hook to hang your hat upon,
no rock on which to stand.
Mothers park along the driveway
at school’s end. Our Buick sits
cock-eyed across the curb.
 
I long to be like other kids, but
know I’m not.  Vodka bottles line
the linen closet - a fully-feathered
duck rests in the freezer.
I show it to my friend.
The puppy ate mom’s sleeping pills
and will not wake again.
 
School is worse - so many faces
whose chatter makes no sense
to me.  I am not them.  Sunday’s
comics fill me with dread.
There’s no vacation from
fear, only blank days that
stretch ahead.

Comments

6 responses to “HOME”

  1. Michael Cover Avatar
    Michael Cover

    I love this. Thank you 😊!

    Sent from my iPhone Michael Cover 202-277-5692

    >

    Like

  2. Suze Avatar
    Suze

    So good Cindy. I really relate. The poem really moved me. You are such a wonderful poet and person.

    Like

  3. Becky Ross Michael Avatar
    Becky Ross Michael

    Childhood was a scary place in the best of times (or what I thought was the best of times). This piece breaks my heart.

    Like

  4. Cynthia M. Sheward Avatar
    Cynthia M. Sheward

    Thank you. I agree. My childhood was not all difficult. It had wonderful times and not wonderful times. Each summer at the shore, I would shake my depression with sun, sand and the ocean.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Cynthia M. Sheward Avatar
    Cynthia M. Sheward

    Thank you for taking the time to read my poem. it means a lot to me.

    Like

  6. Becky Ross Michael Avatar
    Becky Ross Michael

    My summers were similar!

    Like

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