Silent Inflictions

Childhood is a ship, preparing to set sail, but not all harbors are kind the ocean a mysterious enigma. Not all inflictions are visible, some bruises remain invisible. Not all trauma can be expressed, so the past is buried - still breathing. Ghosts resurface, with subtlest of hints. When we are born, we are 'freshly decorated' boats. Preparing to set sail through unknown waters, longing to venture to foreign shores. Yet, what is hidden underneath deep ripples, is not innocent, like my childhood heart - powerless, helpless, defenseless. An anthology of a villain and his victims Sins of my father, once plagued my mother's tears. Her anchor became a burden of heavy fears, so drought, dehydrated her river bed. To escape constant waves of rage, my mind set sail to seek safer shores. On my boat, I was my own captain. Steps of thunder, followed me through turbulent tides, yet, spirit found courage to row faster - to this day, I've never known how. Maybe, I could not let his blood define me. I watched, in horror, as his terror, drowned my petrified siblings - I wonder, why they did not sail away, were their anchors, consumed with reality? When words struck like metaphorical daggers, sirens of the sea, serenaded with songs of sorrow. But, my soul knew the sun would offer redemption - finally unchain me from the darkness of adolescence. Through passages of life, what was once a boat in troublesome times, is now a ship, settled on stable seas. Example for Inflictions contest. Silent One 8 August 2020