Seed of Fear - POTD

No rosebud should ever experience a seed of fear growing in them. 
Quote by poet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seed of Fear

A cryptic shadow slithers 
Across a moonlit floor
Past tea parties, glass slippers
And naïve unicorns 
Wearing feather boas
To reawaken a seed of fear
Deeply planted
By ashes in driving downbeats
Of thick moonbeams
That penetrates artless innocence
In a requiem for mercy.

Paralyzed in a coma of terror
A rosebud hears 
The strident flute song mount
To sing an epitaph for stolen magic 
As it bursts from its calyx
On rotting moonbeams
Sowing repeated ebony nightmares
By the full moon
That whirl and spin
In shades upon the ceiling
And like a thorn 
The pulsing root sinks embryonic genes
Deep into shivering petals.

In satisfaction the shade withdraws
With skulking footsteps, 
Oblivious to the rosebud’s tears,
Leaving pure petals wilted
In muffled agony
The callow flower’s story
Told in silhouettes 
Of shadows on a moonlit wall
Each moonlit night
A ravished garden

Watered by mangled tears
A eulogy grows for ever after
In an epitaph for innocence
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Daniels Avatar
March 3, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Beautifully & delicately written, Sam, like the innocence stolen you infer. Only reading poem now after your referral, so accept belated Congrats on POTD. Your juxtapositions are very powerful & the quote is apt. You speak for thousands of young ones across the globe. ThkU for sharing. I trust more will find this gem ~ sometimes we miss offerings such as these when “to do” lists are long. Sending Light. X.
Dietrich Avatar
October 24, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Very powerful, Sam. A belated congrats to you on the POTD
Kauffman Avatar
October 30, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Greetings Andrea! I am deeply grateful for your feedback. I was hoping this poem would have "powerful" effect and be a spokesman for those who cannot speak of their pain. Thank you!!! Blessings!
Rodgers Avatar
October 15, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Dear Sam, Congrats on POTD! The way you thread moonlight and terror, innocence and ruin, it’s like watching a fairytale unravel in slow motion, petal by petal. It’s somehow devastating and necessary. Autumn Blessings, Dear Sam, Daniel
Kauffman Avatar
October 30, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Greetings Daniel! Thank you so much for your always perceptive feedback and your congratulations. Your ever perceptive eye picked up on the beauty of innocence against the backdrop of darkness and abuse that I was hoping to contrast and highlight. The grief for the loss of innocence! Take care, good friend. Autumn blessings of joy to you!
Baker Avatar
October 14, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Powerful poetry, my friend. Congratulations on your POTD honor, Sam! I hope you enjoyed your special day of recognition. Your poet friend in Texas, Bill
Kauffman Avatar
October 30, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Dear Bill, thank you! It is gratifying to know that this poem received that special honor of a POTD. The POTD was very special especially as I was just hoping people would read and gain some additional awareness of this abuse. Hope you are well, my Lone Star friend! Blessings!
M  Avatar
October 14, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Oh my Sam what an amazing heart write….from your beautiful heart straight to the readers hearts! Powerful and touching and so deserving of POTD….Congrats….Debx
Kauffman Avatar
October 30, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Hi Deb! What beautiful feedback! I am deeply touched and grateful. Thank you for your note of congratulations. It breaks my heart to know there are children who experience this kind of abuse - so wrong ! Hope all is well with you. Hugs and blessings!
George Avatar
October 13, 2025 at 12:47 AM
This epitaph for innocence is so heartbreaking. Many rosebuds before they blossom are stifled and mangled by callous 'worms'. In our society, there are many 'ravished gardens' watered by tears. Such a powerful and poignant poem. Indeed a masterpiece. Congratulations sweet Sam on your well deserved POTD honor.
Kauffman Avatar
October 29, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Dearest Valsa, when I hear of child abuse and the loss of innocence it is like a dagger to my heart. Innocence can never be returned. Once gone it is gone forever and I weep for those children. Thank you for your beautiful note. Sending you blessings of joy!
Ray Choudhury Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Congratulations, Sam, on your honour of POTD. Your poem is outstanding with the powerful message conveyed using stunning images.
Kauffman Avatar
October 29, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Dearest Mala, how wonderful to receive your note of congratulations! While I missed the contest, this poem would not go away. Thank you for your always perceptive and encouraging feedback. Blessings to you dear friend.
Nicole Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Dearest Sam, my eyes are misty at this moment. The entire poem is heartbreaking, but this thought is hard to swallow. ' like a thorn, the pulsing root sinks embryonic genes. ' A child should never feel this. Hurtful words. Pain through physical contact. So wrong on many levels. I see you have received Poem of the Day. May your words help others, my dear friend. My best to you, always. Hugs, Brandy
Kauffman Avatar
October 28, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Dearest Brandy, your thoughtful note touched my heart in a very special way. When I thought about the hurtful abuse of a child my heart just ached and I thought this contest theme, although I missed the contest, was perfect to highlight this heinous abuse. Hope all is well. Blessings of autumn joy!
Kitchin Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Sam, congratulations on POTD.
Kauffman Avatar
October 28, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Thank you so much for your note of congratulations, Tania. So grateful. Blessings to you!
Brul Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 12:20 PM
From line one up to the end----truly mesmerizing! Congratulations, Sam on the honor of POTD. ^____^
Kauffman Avatar
October 28, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Greetings JCB! Thank you!! I was hoping to set the scene and draw all who read this into the horror of this abuse. Thank you for your affirming words! Hope all is well. Always wonderful to hear from you. Blessings and hugs.
Goldsmith Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Back with Congratulations on your POTD win. I enjoyed reading your wonderful "Seed of Fear" write and quote again. Abuse of an innocent child, adult or animal is wrong. Have a blessed day with your win.............
Kauffman Avatar
October 28, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Hi Paula! Thank you for your note of congratulations. So appreciated. I so agree and I cannot understand how a person could abuse a child, adult or an animal. I send prayers for all involved. Blessings to you. Gratitude for your thoughtful note.
Anaya Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Congratulations on POTD Sam! Brilliantly expressed. There are different ways to portray child abuse, your use of metaphors is absolutely compelling & in my opinion more effective than the more direct testaments, tho cathartic in their own way. Perhaps a double-meaning in your intriguing quote. God save children, & let’s shine a light whether in the darkest humblest quarters or upon the highest most privileged echelons of our government!
Kauffman Avatar
October 28, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Hi Anaya! Well here I am catching up again! Between company and a couple of major projects I am fallen behind! Thank you so much for your very perceptive feedback. Like you I believe we must continually shed light on this heinous abuse of innocence that leaves a lifetime of scars! And, like you say, we are duty bound to protect our children! Hugs and blessings to you!!
Poet Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Such a lovely quotation hooks you in straight away, and the style of your writing is outstanding, dear Sam.  Congratulations on POTD!
Rodrigues Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Very interesting poem, Sam! Congratulations on POTD!
Kauffman Avatar
October 13, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Thank you so much, Kim. I grieve every time I hear of a child being abused, especially like this! So very very wrong! Sending you my gratitude and blessings!
Cunningham Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Powerful verse Sam, well deserved potd honour. Hope you're keeping well. Over Fork Over. Tom
Cunningham Avatar
October 14, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Greetings from Spain Sam.
Kauffman Avatar
October 13, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Greetings, Tom! Thank you! This POTD is indeed a very special honor. I am so honored that PS recognized the importance of this subject matter. With the POTD a wider audience will read it and hopefully be effected by this agony of the innocent! All is well. Making progress every day with healing in my back. Hope you are well. Any trips planned in the future? All the best! Over Fork Over!! BTW, the sequoia is a perfect tree for you as you support so many here in the soup!
Gifford Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Congratulations on winning POTD, Sam. A very touching read, beautifully written. Have a great day.
Kauffman Avatar
October 13, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Many thanks, Zyrool! A POTD is a precious and special honor, indeed especially for this poem. I feel blessed to be its author. Hope you you are well. Thank you! Sending you blessings! So good to see you posting again!
Alex Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Very powerful flowery words and thoughts. Congratulations!
Kauffman Avatar
October 13, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Chris, I am just delighted to hear from you and receive your congratulations. This poem was hard to write yet I kept thinking about all the innocence that has been lost. So appreciate your message! Thank you.
Etgen-Baker Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Delighted for you, Sam! congrats on your POTD, a poetic masterpiece.
Kauffman Avatar
October 13, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Thank you, Sara! Somehow this poem wouldn't go away. I am truly honored with this POTD and your congratulations. Hugs and blessings!
Jones Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 3:30 AM
This is beautiful and that wonderful quote draws you in from the beginning! Congratulations on potd Sam!
Kauffman Avatar
October 13, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Thank you so much, Karen. This POTD is such a special honor especially considering the topic. It is dedicated to all who experience abuse. Thank you for visiting and reading. Sending you blessings.
Andresen Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 2:01 AM
- "the rosebud’s tears ... shivering petals ... repeated ebony nightmares" ... nightmare dreams in deep fear, Sam - Congratulations on your p.o.t.d. :) - hugs
Kauffman Avatar
October 13, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Thank you so much, Anne-Lise. Abuse is a repeated nightmare for many children. This poem almost begged to be written. It just wouldn't go away. I pray the nightmare will cease for these innocents! Hugs and blessings!
Hind Avatar
October 11, 2025 at 7:31 PM
This is very raw, I also like the lines Sara pointed out.
Kauffman Avatar
October 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Thank you, Paige. While I missed the contest, I kept working with this theme. I thought this theme was too important to drop in the unfinished pile! Sending you blessings!
Etgen-Baker Avatar
October 10, 2025 at 5:44 PM
ooo, I like your quote..! Your imagery and descriptive words created a somber, thought-provoking mood. This is truly a masterpiece. Especially liked : The callow flower’s story Told in silhouettes Faving this one.
Kauffman Avatar
October 10, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Thank you so much, Sara. It breaks my heart to know this horror exists for children. Somehow the contest I missed produced this poem. I hope it brings continued awareness for the plight of these abused children. Thank you for your fav! It means a lot to mean. Blessings and hugs!!
Goldsmith Avatar
October 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM
WOW!!! I enjoyed reading your wonderful "Seed of Fear" write and quote. Great Ending... "Good Luck" if for a contest. Have a Blessed day/weekend writing away.........
Kauffman Avatar
October 10, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Thank you so much, Paula. I will never understand abuse of an innocent child! Thank you for reading this poem and for your best wishes. Sending you blessings.
Kendrick Avatar
October 10, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Creative work you have penned in this alluring work. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and creativeness with us. Sara K
Kauffman Avatar
October 10, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Thank you Sara! I missed the contest but continued to hone this poem. No child should ever have to endure any kind of abuse! Sending you continued prayers!
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