CayCay Godwin Poet Narrative

Notes About The Poem

MORE WORSE WHEN I CRY

Teacher said my decisions needed consequences.
I have to write a million gazillion sorry sentences.
Billy was stupid to tease me, call my family poor.
I had to kick Billy so he wouldn’t say it more.
Just like Dad does, I laughed when he hit the floor.
Dad would say I was strong, teach says I was wrong.

I don’t understand any grown up stuff.
They don’t act the same way enough,
or Dad is right; I’m so stupid, I can’t keep up.
I’m trying so hard to stop my eyes.
Things always get more worse when I cry.
Even when I’m quiet and being haved
my tummy hurts cause it feels afraid.

Everyone’s at recess, but cause I made an upset,
Teach said there’d be no play time for me yet.
I don’t know what she means by classroom policy,
but it seems like a plan you grow up and forget.  
There’s no sorry policy in my family.
Dad never 'pologizes when he kicks me.

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James Howerton January 23, 2026 at 4:03 AM I thoroughly enjoyed this poem because I was picked on as a child because I had a very severe stuttering problem, and I became a target for the other children, to ridicule me and beat me up. But when I retaliated, I was the one who got in trouble, not the antagonists. This poem was deep and thought provoking. The message was soul stirring, in my opinion. Have a great day

Andrea Dietrich October 25, 2025 at 11:06 AM I really like this one, Caycay. I'll ask you a question in Soupmail? I love how it sounds like a little kid!

Hiba Junaid May 7, 2025 at 7:32 AM The innocence marred in this poem just shatters my heart. I'm too sleepy to write a longer comment for now, but you impress me more with each poem I read, CayCay. God Bless - Hiba <3

Diane Perna April 30, 2025 at 4:27 PM I can totally relate. I was hit by nuns in elementary school just for laughing. They hit my hands with a wooden yardstick until my knuckles bled. The nuns and kids also ridiculed me because I dressed poorly. Love your poem!

Darlene De Beaulieu April 30, 2025 at 2:46 PM Hello Cay Cay, It sounds to me, you had a rough childhood. You know some men should never marry because they do not know how to treat their child when something happens. I think it is so sad. You need a hug. Sending you a hug. /Darlene/congrats on your POTD. /Darleene/

Zyrool Gifford April 30, 2025 at 1:10 PM Hello CayCay, this is a very touching and beautifully written piece. Sending positive vibes your way, fellow poet.

Andrea Dietrich February 16, 2025 at 12:33 PM An oldie of yours I loved. Caycay. I don't think I have your current phone number. Please soupmail it to me. I tried to call just now and it asked me for a passcode,! Are you home? I am here. Now would be best time for us to talk!!

Krish Radhakrishna May 9, 2020 at 12:34 AM Congrats on POTD! This poem is brilliant and so very relevant to many children who use their parents as role models and learn the concept of right and wrong from them. Great work!

Leanne Lovejoy-Burton March 4, 2018 at 2:21 PM Beautiful....and sad. Is that your child Cay Cay? Sending love and GOOD karma and joy. CayCay Godwin March 4, 2018 at 4:24 PM No, someone sponsored a contest that requested a poem be written based on that picture and wherever it took one's muse. Good to see you here. Take care ... CayCay

Kathy Camacho December 14, 2017 at 7:41 AM The raw simplicity and the sadness of this poem moved me.

John Hamilton December 5, 2017 at 11:48 AM First congrats on winning the contest, and POTD, I know I'm late but it's sincere. I was going to comment on the bad grammar, but I realized (after reading) that you are speaking the boys thoughts and that is brilliant writing in a childlike way in this case is amazing, no fear, just great Cay Cay, I was called stupid all the time as a child, very hurtful! CayCay Godwin December 6, 2017 at 9:16 PM I love sincere, it is why I'm here, and probably you, too. I appreciate your honesty about the grammar - I wondered how it would go over, but decided it was the best way to present emotion. My parents never said, 'stupid', but I felt it inferred often enough. Any confidence I have was slow grown and realized. You are talented, capable - so I'm sure you grew yours someway, somehow. Thanks & poetry hugs ... CayCay

Sandra Haight December 5, 2017 at 8:43 AM Wow, CayCay, you really touched my heart with this one...how sad, but how wonderfully written with so much emotion. Congratulations on your placement in the contest and your POTD honor! Hugs, Sandra CayCay Godwin December 6, 2017 at 9:08 PM Sandra! Hey, there. It is my joy to touch your heart. I wish there were somewhere, some place that this poem could make an actual difference. All the best ... CayCay

John Gondolf December 4, 2017 at 12:06 PM CayCay, this is such an emotional poem. I know this sort of thing happens every day but it is just so hard for me to imagine any parent doing this to their child. Congrats on your 1st place and congrats on POTD. John CayCay Godwin December 6, 2017 at 9:07 PM All abuse makes me cry, none of it is right or less than horrific. Child abuse pangs us all more because children are so innocent, they don't know what love should look like. Thanks for reading and commenting, John. Poetry hugs ... CayCay

Andrea Dietrich December 3, 2017 at 4:05 PM I read it!! What you said, Back at ya.

Susan Ashley December 3, 2017 at 4:05 PM CayCay, returning with congratulations on your top placement in the contest with this powerful and heartbreaking write. Blessings and hugs to you ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich December 3, 2017 at 4:05 PM thanks for reading so many of my poems, Caycay. Let me find a few of yours as I wade my way through comments. haha. I hope you have at least a few new ones for me to see!

Andrea Dietrich December 2, 2017 at 8:22 PM wow, Caycay, this is SO good, my dear. I chose this picture but for a different reason. I just love how you made this so real and all about the way he is feeling. you made such a great story of it, a fave. CayCay Godwin December 2, 2017 at 8:35 PM Hey, sweetheart - oh, I just remembered you'll probably never read this box and so we have, silence. I'll just send you love, you don't need to read to receive love! Big dose ... CayCay

Rhoda Tripp December 2, 2017 at 6:21 PM Congratulations, Caycay on your win! Very much deserved. I remember, shortly after I submitted my poem for the contest, I read yours and was blown away and instantly knew yours was a winner. It is creatively written and has a great message. Again, Congratulations and yes, of course, feel free to soup mail me.

Connie Marcum Wong December 2, 2017 at 4:51 PM Yay! I am so happy for you CayCay! Back to congratulate you on your wonderful First Place win! : ) Connie Marcum Wong April 24, 2019 at 5:00 PM I am pretty sure I didn't invent Wowza but I'm glad it made you laugh. : ) xxoo CayCay Godwin December 2, 2017 at 6:58 PM Hey, you recently cracked me up, how I laughed when I saw you had written, "Wowza" - I love Wowza, can we make that a thing? Is it already someone else's thing? Thank you for you! Love and more ... CayCay

Eve Roper December 2, 2017 at 3:39 PM 1st I want to thank you for entering my contest , CayCay, your imagery and flow of words is wonderful you brought back a few memories . 2. Congratulations on POTD! , and 3rd Congratulations on your win! Hugs Eve ~`* CayCay Godwin December 2, 2017 at 8:32 PM I thought my Dad thought me stupid which was horrible enough. So sorry, Eve. You and I dwell in a special olympics world many never witness, you and I know there is no stupid. I'm sure both our Dads did their human and loving best, it is just such an impactful position in a child's life, decades cannot erase a Dad mark. I'm feeling you and offering hugs ... CayCay Eve Roper December 2, 2017 at 7:32 PM Thank you :') My dad use to call me stupid growing up that is a word I dislike anyone calling someone else, no one is stupid. CayCay Godwin December 2, 2017 at 6:41 PM Honey, I am horrified if this poem brought back memories for you. Please say I didn't understand your meaning! Also, I thought I had to call my brave boy, "PhotoStory 2" per the directions and now I see I mis-read that 'my' precious child could be sitting beneath a fitting title (OZ - "If I only had a brain, I ....") So, talk u to me. Eve, I also grow from your contests', love your criteria's, the challenges, they are light vs. other, but most serious poetry; ergo, you, Eve are a gift to me and Soup. Blessings! CayCay

Gregory Richard Barden December 1, 2017 at 9:04 PM :-( This is a wonderful write, CayCay, and far more common than most people realize, sadly ... the more attention brought to this issue, the better, and I thank you for doing so in such a beautifully creative and hard0hitting way. Blessings, and congrats on number five BNP!! Keep climbing! :-) <3

Connie Marcum Wong November 30, 2017 at 8:09 PM Wowza! What a great poem CayCay! Breaks my heart to think about such abuse. I am so happy to see it honored with POTD! Big Congratulations my friend! : )

Charlie Smith November 30, 2017 at 9:09 AM Wow! You captured that photo brilliantly CayCay, congratulations also for POTD honors...

Jannie Breedt November 28, 2017 at 11:10 PM Belatedly I congratulate you too. Your moving poem bring back memories. So well expressed from a childs point of view. Your perceptions are always so good.

Darlene De Beaulieu November 28, 2017 at 7:47 PM Your poem tells a story in a poem. I like that. I enjoyed your poem.Cay Cay have a nice evening my friend.

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