Shadows of Pain

Hollowed eyes and tortured soul 
Spitting words that didn't flow 
Forcing smiles that always faded 
His memories fond, distorted and jaded
Ups and downs, half smiles and frowns
His mind was spinning round and round 
A heart bigger than a sunrise sky 
So numbed he left and didn't say goodbye 
The darkness seized him, held him tight
Squeezed so hard life became a fight 
A fight to eat, a fight to breathe 
Hatred flowed and emotions seethed 
He never forgot and never forgave 
The angst inside him dug his early grave
Handsome groom, number one dad 
The best friend I truly ever had 
Woke up one day not feeling well
Couldn't take this life in hell 
Began his journey to what comes after
Mom comes home, finds him hanging from a rafter 
Terror sets in and shock takes over 
In a blink of an eye their marriage was over 
Two nightmarish calls, one to each daughter 
Cries and screams like lambs at the slaughter 
And so we march on, soldiers in a state of shock 
Thinking it's him, every phone call and knock 
Now, I hope, his tortured soul's at peace 
But we, the survivors, are haunted with memories and grief 
Does the cycle continue - depression and shame? 
Will I follow my father through the shadows of pain?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Brown Avatar
August 3, 2011 at 6:29 PM
Congratulations on your poetry making it through round one in the PoetrySoup International Poetry contest. I wish you the best in the final round Leah. Love, Carol
Werner Avatar
August 3, 2011 at 6:51 PM
Thanks Carol! I've written hundreds of poems but this one is closest to my heart. It means so much that it was featured and made it through the 1st round of the contest!
Werner Avatar
July 30, 2011 at 3:22 PM
Thank you all for your comments and support!
Eastman Avatar
July 1, 2011 at 8:54 AM
Congratuations on being featured. A tortured but touching write that held us to you. Well done. Keep writting.
Duverney Avatar
June 29, 2011 at 11:34 AM
beautiful poem, with a beautiful meaning... congratulations!
Noo Avatar
June 28, 2011 at 10:58 AM
This is really heartfelt and touching. Thank you.
Mehta Avatar
June 28, 2011 at 5:48 AM
My congratulations on your poem being featured this week, Leah
Susan Avatar
June 27, 2011 at 6:37 AM
A very powerful poem. Is this a true story? Congratulations on it being featured this week.
Brown Avatar
June 27, 2011 at 5:11 AM
Congratulations on your well written poetry being featured this week Leah. Love, Carol
Poet Avatar
February 8, 2011 at 4:56 AM
Very sad story you have penned here Leah.Very lucid language--kashinath
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