Say Goodbye To Mom

Holding head down he simmers in anguish
Scribbling restless shapes in red crayon
Concealing bitterness of a child forlorn.

At a tender young age he knows of divorce
Custody battles, and the pointed fingers
Of angry gestures condemning each other.

Any moment now they'll open the door
Pretending like there is love in the air.

He dashes towards her, gripping angst
Hearing Dad's words: "Say goodbye to Mom"
Hugging her tightly, tears rolling down,
Reddened eyes now piercing her sight
Wanting to ask if she understands why
He doesn't color anymore inside the lines,

As a smile uplifts from the depth of her eyes.

October 14, 2018
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

12
Crabtree Avatar
December 14, 2020 at 7:20 PM
This is so difficult for children to embrace. Wonderfully written, Vijay.
Proxenos Avatar
May 25, 2019 at 1:12 AM
Separation or divorce Vijay is so hard, mainly always for the one partner more than for the other - reddened eyes now piercing her sight..........he doesn't color anymore inside the lines - heartbreaking and so disturbing and sad for a child to behold! Beautifully penned but really sad - best wishes and hugs Vijay. Jennifer.
Sietesantos Avatar
November 29, 2018 at 2:00 PM
It is so sad when children are torn between two warring parents. At the end of the day, the parents go their way and the children are the ones who are scarred for life! A most heartfelt, touching piece that reflects the hurt and the heartache caused by divorce. As usual, your pen is magical, my friend. Best regards. Pandita
Mitra Avatar
November 13, 2018 at 10:41 AM
A very realistic theme..the helpless children facing deprivation for no fault of theirs..so touching in the way it's written
Marcum Wong Avatar
October 26, 2018 at 1:01 PM
"He doesn't color anymore inside the lines," this line so poignantly conveys the depth of the pain and sorrow of divorce. Brilliantly written Vijay! : )
Pandit Avatar
October 29, 2018 at 3:10 PM
Thank you Connie..appreciate your kind remarks.
Williams Avatar
October 22, 2018 at 6:41 AM
Children never give up on their parents reconciling, living in their fantasy that things can always be rectified. Sad to see this happening, but happening none the less. Beautifully and emotionally written Vijay, a fave for me....Maria hugs
Pandit Avatar
October 29, 2018 at 3:09 PM
So true--your comments are spot on..appreciate your visit, Maria.
Michael Avatar
October 20, 2018 at 9:50 AM
How could that love ever die...in between the lines maybe...but not with an open roof and an endless sky...Nice...All the best Vijay
Pandit Avatar
October 29, 2018 at 3:09 PM
Thank Arturo..appreciate the kind feedback.
Raven Avatar
October 20, 2018 at 7:28 AM
Hi Vijay, a strong write on your subject. It is so sad that children must suffer through a divorce. A painful and true poem to read. This happens too often. An excellent poem Vijay. have a wonderful weekend. Your friend always....Mike.
Pandit Avatar
October 20, 2018 at 8:19 AM
You are right Mike..children do suffer..they are never prepared for something like this. Appreciate your visit and comments..many many thanks, friend.
Leiser Avatar
October 18, 2018 at 7:13 AM
What a powerful and sad poem, well expressed, Vijay. Such a sad reminder of how divorce so deeply affects our children...
Pandit Avatar
October 20, 2018 at 8:18 AM
So true, Laura. Appreciate your visit and kind words.
One Avatar
October 17, 2018 at 3:45 PM
Very sad what happens in divorce, kids always suffer.. many people will be able to relate to this..
Pandit Avatar
October 17, 2018 at 4:19 PM
You are so right..thank you for your visit and comments Silent One.
Warrior Avatar
October 17, 2018 at 10:15 AM
You paint a sad picture, my friend...I witnessed this personally thru a friend...and his 7 yr son let out a huge silent scream...one of the saddest things ever to see...love & healing...^WW^
Pandit Avatar
October 17, 2018 at 11:05 AM
Yes--heartbreaking to hear about the experience such as the one you describe. Many thanks for your comments, my friend.
Smith Avatar
October 17, 2018 at 10:06 AM
A soul wrenching act that plays out too often, so painfully told with such poetic skill my friend, well done...
Pandit Avatar
October 17, 2018 at 11:04 AM
So true my friend..appreciate your visit and comments, Charlie.
Neumann Avatar
October 17, 2018 at 5:41 AM
Very sad and yet real life. Been there. Divorced myself and strangely had wished in my youth that my parents would separate. Only when the situation comes, do we know how difficult life can be. Many kind wishes, Kai
Pandit Avatar
October 17, 2018 at 7:15 AM
Many thanks Kai..appreciate your visit and comments. Thank you as well for sharing your personal experience..kids are devastated as they are so unprepared to face this.
Neumann Avatar
October 17, 2018 at 4:11 AM
Very sad and yet real life. Been there. Divorced myself and strangely had wished in my youth that my parents would separate. Only when the situation comes, do we know how difficult life can be. Many kind wishes, Kai
Canerdy Avatar
October 16, 2018 at 7:35 PM
This is heart-wrenching, Vijay! The significance of the child's not staying within the lines while coloring is especially moving! Janice
Pandit Avatar
October 17, 2018 at 7:12 AM
Yes-your comments are on the mark..many thanks Janice for your visit and feedback.
Doll Avatar
October 16, 2018 at 8:39 AM
So heartbreaking and well written, Vijay.~ Warren
Pandit Avatar
October 16, 2018 at 11:46 AM
Thank you Warren.
Daniel Avatar
October 16, 2018 at 5:40 AM
This is painful, I always feel for the children caught in a divorce, you have captured the pain very well:)
Pandit Avatar
October 16, 2018 at 6:25 AM
Thank you Jo.
Sharp Avatar
October 15, 2018 at 2:28 PM
Very deeply personal and painful. You've conveyed the grief with great care and empathy.
Pandit Avatar
October 15, 2018 at 2:58 PM
Many thanks Lawrence..appreciate your visit and comments.
Andresen Avatar
October 15, 2018 at 1:07 PM
- A breakup is not the child's choice and will always affect the children, Vijay - It is heartbreaking how many children who experience this - A great write about this theme - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Pandit Avatar
October 15, 2018 at 2:58 PM
Thank you Anne-Lise..appreciate the kind feedback.
Rose  Avatar
October 15, 2018 at 12:12 PM
Its heart wrenching when parents split up . The young ones always seem to be the ones who suffer the most. Well written and heart felt from my end. Thanks for sharing Vijay, you always have a humanistic side to all your poems
Pandit Avatar
October 15, 2018 at 2:57 PM
You captured well the aftermath of divorce on children in your comments..many thanks, Pixie.
Riabi Dziri Avatar
October 15, 2018 at 11:43 AM
There is pain, anger, disappointment and discontent "in the air".. achingly and bitterly touching the very heart of an avid reader who can but identify with the "forlorn" child and understand that some parents fail to assure Harmony within themselves thereby cause harm to their children.. A great work of art that deeply touches human nature.. powerful diction.. a masterful rendition.. a great pleasure to read despite the pain! My deepest regards dear Vijay, stay blessed always.
Pandit Avatar
October 15, 2018 at 2:55 PM
Your analysis is on mark, as always. Thank you for your generous remarks, Besma. I appreciate your visit and value your feedback. My deepest regards to you as well, my friend.
Gentile Avatar
October 15, 2018 at 11:01 AM
So Powerful Vijay. I don't think that unless it has been experience, that it can be truly understood. Your words help one gain insight, Well done !!
Pandit Avatar
October 15, 2018 at 11:32 AM
Appreciate the kind words Mike. Many thanks.
Kiser Avatar
October 15, 2018 at 10:55 AM
Divorce does wreak havoc on some children; not having one parent there a great deal of the time is even traumatic for a child. A powerful poem, Vijay that grips my heart like a vise. Well done.
Pandit Avatar
October 15, 2018 at 11:27 AM
You are so right about the pain divorce causes, M.L.K...always happy to read your comments..many thanks for the positive feedback.
Papyrus Avatar
October 15, 2018 at 9:42 AM
Gripping! Every line is decorated and intense. Powerful piece Vijay!
Pandit Avatar
October 15, 2018 at 11:26 AM
Thank you Vegter--appreciate the kind words.
Callus Avatar
October 15, 2018 at 7:04 AM
Your powerful words pull at our heart strings, Vijay, especially the last stanza. Unfortunately it is the children who usually suffer most. Regards // paul
Pandit Avatar
October 15, 2018 at 8:57 AM
So right you are Paul..about the effects on children. Many thanks for the kind feedback.
12
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace