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I Call My Ten Year Old

I Call My Ten-Year Old I call my ten-year old Hidden and secluded Alive in death’s grasp Unseen yet hovering Unconscious, subterranean Felt but not heard Needles prick chin’s pincushion Screams echo through Heart’s tormented chambers Images flash Blood red, avatar blue Not on film’s cellophane But in cones and rods Fear in technicolor My ten-year old answers Amygdala-like screams erupt Bubbling through blood and bone Are lava-like projectiles Tooth-some daggers that Pierce night’s skin Fear’s heavy drapes part Secrets, once knots, in cavern’s pits No longer fed by silence and fear No longer guarded by anger’s blade Arise transmuted, transformed Hush, my child What was no longer is Shed the snake’s skin Feel the warm underbelly Of love and acceptance Neath its cold cloak Is the peace you seek

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Kai Michael Neumann

Date: 9/5/2016 3:11:00 PM

This is very well written. I like the 'implicit explicitness' and it makes perfect sense to see this as memories and as you point out. Transactional analysis? Many wishes, Kai

Kathleen Kroll
Date: 9/5/2016 7:55:00 PM

i've done a lot of meditation and the Buddhist philosophy probably comes through at times, Thanks, Kai!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/19/2016 1:45:00 AM

this one is difficult for me to entirely grasp but from the ending I can get a sense of what it's all about just in that last stanza. I feel like the child is facing death or suffers from a very bad condition. This is very sad and I hope he/she can find peace.

Kathleen Kroll
Date: 8/19/2016 9:19:00 AM

Hi Andrea, Thanks for your perceptive and objective comments. Perhaps a title such as Secrets of the Ten Year Old Child Within would aid the reader. I was speaking to the inner child. But, yes, this child has suffered some trauma and writing is very healing. This is such a supportive community in which to do it. Congrats on being in the top 100 Community Builders - an honor so well deserved! Thanks for visiting my site.

Frederic Parker

Date: 8/15/2016 4:47:00 PM

You found my poetry and now I have found yours...had to read this twice as I have a child, or now grown man that has been in and out of the hospital for over 20 years from a car accident when he was 17,I have to say I was touched by the sense of wisdom and understanding that I don't find in many of the poems I read..my poetic friend

Kathleen Kroll
Date: 8/15/2016 9:37:00 PM

That is so very kind. Thank you! I pray your son finds healing. I felt a connection when reading your poem on death. Hope you will visit my site again. Look forward to your next poems.

Kathleen Kroll

Date: 8/15/2016 8:36:00 AM

Thanks, TJ. Your validation of my feelings brought to light is so valuable. Writing is part of that acceptance process. I admire all the poets on this site who are willing to shed their skins and speak from the deeper parts of themselves. As always, I appreciate your following me! Kathy