Broken

a child acting tall
           no big deal it’s only gall
                 hasn’t far to fall 
      now beats his wife off the wall
         bullies don’t grow up at all
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Anaya Avatar
August 25, 2023 at 8:56 AM
Men never smacked me around unless I deserved it, I once had a tempura lover, was only lightly battered! Seriously I never understood how women stay with men who beat them, it destroys everyone involved. Many do stay, it's tourmented drudgery, and I shouldn't make light of it, but comic relief helps lift. Like you, David, I think it reinforces bad behavior to give kid's candy to shut them up. Spoiled rotten. Rewarding bad behavior, psychology 101. Pleased you chose your tanka monorhyme on this
Anaya Avatar
August 25, 2023 at 10:57 AM
It is not recommended to reward a dog with treats for barking. According to (ASPCA), if a dog is repeatedly rewarded for barking, it can learn to use barking to his benefit. Good thinking, David! ;) btw--there have been more deaths by mallings in the US from pit-bulls (poor things), because of a-butts who do not train them properly.
Kavanagh  Avatar
August 25, 2023 at 10:50 AM
You know me Anaya, I call it as I see it, even tempura batterings lol, yeah most if not all the bullies out there, started this behaviour in childhood, and it seemed to have morphed into the animal kingdom, I’ve seen people giving their dogs treats to try stop them growling and barking at passer-byers on the street, yeah like that works a treat too, brain dead’s, cheers David
Cunningham Avatar
August 25, 2023 at 12:15 AM
So true David, you're right, the parents have a lot to answer for often spoiling their kids to the point that they grow up thinking they can have and do what they want. Tom
Kavanagh  Avatar
August 25, 2023 at 1:11 AM
Indeed Tom, I see so much of this bad behaviour being overlooked, even in my own extended family, and instead of checking the child they try give them sweets to stop it, why would anyone think that’s going to work, idiots! Then as the child grows up to be an overbearing bully they will still protect him and try blame his wife for not being understanding enough, Cheers David
Lane Avatar
August 24, 2023 at 11:43 PM
Started in Childhood and not corrected, the abuse continued.
Kavanagh  Avatar
August 25, 2023 at 1:05 AM
Absolutely Lin, it’s a no brainier if, parents ignore their child’s bad behaviour and keep putting it down to, oh but it’s so cute (hee hee hee) instead of pointing it out to the child, I’m afraid their creating the monster themselves, cheers David
Andresen Avatar
August 24, 2023 at 12:19 PM
- A man who beats his wife is no man, David - ... two seconds too lat ... bad luck :( - hugs
Kavanagh  Avatar
August 24, 2023 at 12:26 PM
That is indeed why I never used the word (man) in my tanka Anne-Lise, yeah literally 2 seconds two late, oh I don’t mind, at least I got it posted, cheers David
Poet Avatar
August 24, 2023 at 11:52 AM
David, your writing is exquisite. It's endearing how you portrayed a child pretending to be taller than they actually are. It may seem insignificant, but it speaks volumes about their innocence. However, this innocence is short-lived, as they quickly succumb to the harsh reality of domestic violence, with the husband physically abusing his wife. It's disheartening to see that bullies never truly mature or change their ways.
Kavanagh  Avatar
August 24, 2023 at 12:05 PM
Thank you Lasaad, yes I was trying to point out that bullies never change their ways, sometimes their parents inadvertently create the monster by not nipping the problem in the bud when it starts, and go into a denial stage instead, a big analogy here, cheers David
Kavanagh  Avatar
August 24, 2023 at 11:04 AM
Was written for Constance contest alas two seconds too late
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