Notes About The Poem

Shepherd Who Forgot His Flock

It's raining again, grey neon skies,
washing away suppressed surfaces,
to reveal unhealed wounds,
to scars the eyes cannot see

sometimes they bleed.

Some say words heal,
but I resist to express them,
because I'm afraid of my vulnerabilities,
anxious about tears I've never cried.

You only see the smile,
no one remembers that naive boy,
waiting at the window
for the shepherd who forgot his flock,
and he was no black sheep

if only I could reach him now

so he would not grow up like he did not belong,
stop searching for something,
he did not know how to find.
Stop composing that melancholic symphony,
recycling emotions, he did not understand,
I would tune his piano keys,
repair his violin's broken strings,

but

there are too many silent secrets,
blood stained walls will never reveal.

You left me behind,
with an empty toy box,
taking with you childhood hopes,
so ensued a vacuum of darkness -
sucking me deeper into confusion.

I remember watching you walk away,
along a path of overgrown weeds.
If it was not for the gift of mum's marbles,
I would not have laid an alternative path,
creating my protective bubble,
so I could float away, from all the troubles

until I lost them too.

Tell me father,
how was I to become a man?
You pushed me upon my knees, 
like a cherry blossom in the wind.

A victim of your sins,
struggling to rise in adolescence,
I kept faith in the path of marble,
grateful for the guidance of my bubble.

After years of silence

upon your final sighs,
watching you die without words,
tears exploded for a stranger,
forgiving broken promises, 
forgetting your crimes -
cursing stubbornness and bitterness,
thinking maybe it was me,
not just you

questions that will never be answered.

Today I stand before your bed of marble,
no need for a bubble, I feel no emotions. 
After all I am a product of my childhood,
and you were a result of your own.

Silent One
18 August 2019
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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123
Davidson Avatar
October 20, 2020 at 3:38 PM
Incredible....moved me to tears
Fenn Avatar
October 13, 2020 at 1:38 PM
Wow wow wow wow wow wow wow! This made me feel empathy for the speaker, and then I felt happy at the hope and forgiveness at the end. Forgiving parents is not easy but that just shows how strong you are. You conveyed these complex emotions well.
One Avatar
October 14, 2020 at 8:29 AM
Thank you.. This is one of my few personal poems.. Normally, my poems are about other people..
Ball Avatar
September 17, 2019 at 12:43 PM
WoW! An exceptional piece expressing the tumultuous feelings of anguish a child feels when a parent seems not to care and just walks away. The confusion and uncertainty that follows that child forever because of that one careless act. This is a very poignant piece my friend. A well deserved win for you and a fave for me. Super write. God Bless, JB
Raven Avatar
September 16, 2019 at 6:26 PM
My friend, Silent. firstly, my belated congratulations on your Poem Of the Day honour with this wonderful piece. You always write from the heart and in this write your emotions swell. Your words touch the heart of the reader with true emotions. My friend, this is an exceptional write. A fav. Have a wonderful Tuesday. Your friend always....Mike.
Rees Avatar
September 7, 2019 at 1:09 PM
Your poetry covers all human emotions. Your understanding is deep and you express it so well -joy and despair. Your lines bring back memories and feelings lying dormant, perhaps for years. You say it all, but at the end, the question, "What was that all about?"And, of course, there's no answer.
Pen Avatar
September 5, 2019 at 9:32 AM
Dear Silent One, As your vivid poem unfolded within my own heart and mind, I realized; you've expressed for me, for many and yourself, words most of us have never accomplished so fully and eloquently. Congratulations on this work of art my friend.
Johnson Avatar
September 2, 2019 at 3:59 PM
Congrats on BNP. A nice one. Blessings.
Gonzales Avatar
September 1, 2019 at 9:57 PM
Your words resonate personal memories of my own, painful as they may be. I likewise grieve for myself, for my inability to shed tears for I am his son. Beautiful work SO, expressing in poetic form your deepest feelings.
Salehi Avatar
August 30, 2019 at 12:51 AM
It is painfully beautiful...
Messina Avatar
August 27, 2019 at 6:28 AM
Great poetry SO. Belated congrats on POTD.
De Beaulieu Avatar
August 25, 2019 at 7:54 AM
Hello Silent One, when my father passed, my eyes were dry. He gave me a hard life. I am not a product of my father.I am myself and that is who I am. have a nice day my friend.
Krutsinger Avatar
August 25, 2019 at 7:16 AM
"You left me behind, with an empty toy box, taking with you childhood hopes, so ensued a vacuum of darkness - sucking me deeper into confusion." - This has happened to so many little boys and girls, I bear not to think of how many. Congratulations on POTD honors; well deserved!
Ashley Avatar
August 24, 2019 at 8:58 PM
Your talented pen spills profound and emotional ink in your poignant poem, Silent One. I was moved by your deep and intimate introspection. You bared your heart and left it on the page so poetically. Congratulations on your wonderful and well deserved recognition with POTD honors. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan
Proxenos Avatar
August 22, 2019 at 12:21 AM
Hi S.O. My mother and I lost a beautiful relationship we had but when my Dad died she became bitter and not the loving mother I knew. Elias then come into our lives and when my mom was ugly to me had to reprimand her. she got alzheimers some time later but she had ruined mine and my sons relationship with her. Your poem expresses the pain you felt but as your dad made his bed and lay in it, so did my mom. a great poem S.O and one that touched my heart. Congrats. on Poem of the Day. Hugs, J.P
Callus Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 1:48 PM
So sad and touching, S1. Unfortunately the past cannot be erased, and it will haunt us for years to come, while the mind seeks answers to elusive questions. // paul
May Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 8:56 AM
Wow, So poignant and filled with so many emotions Silent One, so much of a person is the result of their childhood...Excellent write...
Lamoureux Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 8:28 AM
I can see why this was chosen. You Rock. Thanks for your Visit.
Viswan Bhatia Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 12:20 AM
This is truly truly amazing.. I once read somewhere, writers survive by feeding on the pain! I might not relate to the words completely, but a wee bit is true about it..I felt your words..thank you..
Poteet Avatar
August 20, 2019 at 7:38 PM
As a former teacher, there are sad memories still tied up in knots, stories from children I've known and taught. You lay open your heart for us all to see the pain that so many encounter while still vulnerable youngsters. Well-written, fitting to the music you provided.
Kitchin Avatar
August 20, 2019 at 5:11 AM
"Tom congratulations on POTD, these are very clever and fun, excellently done! :)"
Kitchin Avatar
August 20, 2019 at 4:55 AM
Congratulations on POTD with this heart felt gem!
Doll Avatar
August 19, 2019 at 9:38 PM
Congratulations on POTD, Silent One. An instant fav for me~Warren
Mchattie Avatar
August 19, 2019 at 6:39 PM
Congrats on POTD. Truly a powerful piece. We all have scars to bare through life. Just a wonderful poem. Have a great day.
Nicole Avatar
August 19, 2019 at 6:14 PM
Congratulations Silent One, on Poem of the Day! Your heart certainly is on the page. Thank you for being You, for being here. ~ Brandy
De Beaulieu Avatar
August 19, 2019 at 4:42 PM
Hello Silent One, I am very proud of you for getting POTD. I have enjoyed reading this poem. how can a shepherd forget about his flock? Have a nice evening my friend.
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