From a Distance

From A Distance

I look outside at the pouring rain 
that brings back images and forgotten pain.
The scene is set the same as before
the trees have changed and now litter the floor.

It’s been 2 years and a million drinks
but nothing can change how a broken man thinks.
All of the booze and traveling around
can’t block out the faces and horrible sound.

It’s cost me my job and the love of my life
but I am not worthy of having a wife.
The things that I saw and just watched from the side
will always be with me with nowhere to hide.

There are so many things that could have been done
to stop the man killing the mother and son.
I watched from a distance in shock and despair
and now all I see is the man with a blond hair.

The damage is done and left me to grieve
but all that I want is the image to leave.
I stay in the shadows to try and get by
but all that I want is to lie down and die.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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A  Avatar
June 16, 2016 at 2:08 PM
Joshua, , nicely penned. Enjoyed reading your thoughts and words today. **SKAT**
Haick Avatar
December 17, 2010 at 12:04 PM
Josh, this is so worthy of the great win in Ryland's "Darkest Hour" Challenge! Be proud of this..one of your best straight from your heart! Blessings, peace and joy, always, Audrey
Barrow Avatar
December 6, 2010 at 12:37 AM
enjoyed.........keep up the great work
Mehta Avatar
December 5, 2010 at 5:47 AM
Congratulations on this well deserved win in the contest of Ryland, Joshua
Kendrick Avatar
November 30, 2010 at 4:35 PM
Congratulations on your win ..Sara
Brown Avatar
November 29, 2010 at 5:11 AM
Congratulations Joshua on your win in Ryland Matthew's "My Darkest Hour" contest. Love, Carol
Neels Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 11:10 PM
Joshua, super congrats on your HM with this brilliant write - enjoy the rest of your weekend ;) Wilma
Freeman Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 12:10 PM
Joshua, congratulations on your great poem's success. Agape, Moses
Devonshire Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 8:34 AM
Joshua, at least you have recognized that the true culprit here was alcohol. It seems that drinking stripped you of the people you loved and my sympathies are extended to you. Congratulations on your placement in Ryland's contest. Peace and blessings, Carolyn
Sweetheart Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 7:03 AM
Congrats Joshua on your HM in Ryland's contest with this rare beauty entry .. enjoy a wonderful and special honor today with luv and a happy weekend too..
Mehta Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 6:13 AM
Congratulations for this honorable win in the contest, Joshua
Dietrich Avatar
November 22, 2010 at 8:27 PM
a tragic tale you paint, Joshua, of a guy who can't let go of guilt. Very interesting reading!
Echo Avatar
November 18, 2010 at 1:46 PM
SO SAD! BUT SO AMAZING AT THE SAME TIME! Very nice write you have here. Definately going into my favorites. -Echo
Arnott Avatar
November 18, 2010 at 8:33 AM
very touching, i feel your pain n this, feel u been thru war, wish i cud releive the misery n it that it left
Austin Avatar
November 18, 2010 at 7:50 AM
Glad to hear you were not a witness. Good write. This would make a good novel. Good to hear from you. Dave
Harris Avatar
November 17, 2010 at 4:19 AM
Thank you for your comments, this didn't happen to me I was writing about something that I read about and tried to put myself in their position and how I would feel if it were me.
Devonshire Avatar
November 16, 2010 at 7:42 PM
Gee, what a horrible thing to witness, Joshua. You recreated the tragedy so well in your words and I'm sorry this experience has had such an adverse effect on your life. I hope writing about it relieves some of the pain you have endured. Very moving poem! Best wishes, Carolyn
Mazzone Avatar
November 16, 2010 at 9:03 AM
Wow... I really like your expression... I could feel your grief.
Neels Avatar
November 16, 2010 at 8:45 AM
Joshua, you just transported me into the very being of what you experience. A moving emotional write, I am positive no one can walk away after reading this and not feel your pain.. Thank you for your comment today ;-) Wilma
K. Avatar
November 15, 2010 at 10:19 PM
What a very moving poem this is Joshua-- wow-- the emotion just comes through your poem and it's left me with that sadness as well-- how I hope that things could turn around in time-- I hope you don't mind me pointing out a missing "u" in "pouring" in your first line-- just want to help :) thank you as well for all your comments in my poems -- nikko :)
Hilliker Avatar
November 15, 2010 at 1:36 PM
Wow...what a sad poem. Great rhyme and meter in it. God bless!
A   Avatar
November 14, 2010 at 7:27 PM
deep write, enjoyed this one,..P.D.
Slaughter Avatar
November 14, 2010 at 12:00 PM
Awww...my heart goes out, and tears do fall for all that have been so traumatized in life! It shouldn't have to be that way! Thanks for sharing this very poignant and moving poem!
Shetley Avatar
November 13, 2010 at 8:53 PM
Wow, what an emotionally evocative piece. You have a way of bringing forward raw and honest emotions that can't possibly leave the reader unaffected. I feel so much sorrow for this and, if written from your own experience, I wish you all the best going forward. You should consider entering it into 'The Darkest Hour' contest, I am certain it will do well.
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