Shadows

‘When you are not fed love on a silver spoon, you learn to lick it off knives.’ - Lauren Eden
................................................

my pains depart not
even when my tear glands d r y
as sorrow remains my life’s most loyal friend
it bothers not to knock before drawing near
just since 
      I was wrested away from my mother’s breast
as she e x h a l e d 
                 her last breath in creeping agony
two years after my father was jailed for life~
         his crime
the same blood that now pulses within my veins

then.... 
        hatred was s e w n
into a grim dress that h a u n t s
             t o r m e n t i n g my nights and days, 
   never ceasing
my mouth 
         
            s t r i p p e d 

                    as hunger cries pierced through my ribs
love~
     a drifter who shuns my h o l l o w abode
   yet sings with a l o u d voice in my friends’ homes
                            caressing 
only when hatred 
                                                   h i d e s  a w a y
loitering in the streets,
refusing to 
                step 
                      inside
my good friend~
     when I smoke thick marijuana
       draining strong gin bottles till nothing remains
            when I sniff the white powder, chasing a trip
one that will carry me straight to my father
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

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Ashley Avatar
March 25, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Dear Maclawrence, the creative intensity, the exquisite pain of your heart wrenching imagery is felt emotionally and viscerally. An amazing poetic creation, a haunting, awe inspiring piece that I’m lingering over. A fav for me! Best wishes for the contest and warmest wishes for you.. ~Susan
Famuyiwa Avatar
March 25, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Susan, thanks so much for this your encouraging comment. You make my head to swirl in the clouds. Words can't be sufficient enough to express my appreciation.
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