Frederic Parker Poet Sonnet

Tarnished Reflections

The razor strap always welted my skin
And quickly crippled my soul as a child
Balled flesh of a hand to my head a sin
The angry pain over time I have exiled
No tears fall now from my time of beating
Nor memories close by an anguished cry
Death to this parent came cold and fleeting
Turned away and not needing to know why
The luster of childhood never did glow
It was legs and arms I rolled into a ball
The betrayal of love was all that I'd know
Crumbling shadows on a tear-stained wall
The burnished days of youth I never knew
Its painful tarnish has always bled through



3/22/18 contest Tarnished Reflections

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Line Gauthier April 4, 2018 at 11:44 PM A haunting gripping unveiling of betrayal and violated youth. A FAVE for me for its raw emotion and my wishing I could help bear that cross.

Judith S April 2, 2018 at 7:01 PM Wow Frederic. So very, very sad. I feel such pain for this child. Congrats on your placement! ~ Judy

Susan Gentry April 1, 2018 at 4:14 PM Congratulations on your win with this emotional poem. Well written...

John Lawless April 1, 2018 at 10:42 AM Frederic, the final couplet encompasses the harsh reality of the lingering pain and fear that the "stain" will bleed through. Thanks for participating in the contest

Viv Wigley March 25, 2018 at 2:16 AM Harrowing, Frederic, hopefully cathartic. Childhood pain stays raw the longest. Regards, Viv

Susan Ashley March 24, 2018 at 9:53 PM How deeply and sadly emotional your poem is Frederic. So palpable is the pain I felt in your poetic lines expressed with powerful and reflective clarity. Best wishes for a win with your superb sonnet. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich March 22, 2018 at 6:51 PM Very powerful description of abuse, Frederic, and very well done.

Silent One March 22, 2018 at 2:17 PM I felt the tarnish in this one, deep lines, great flow in your sonnet.. Frederic Parker March 22, 2018 at 2:59 PM hard to relive

Heidi Sands March 22, 2018 at 11:27 AM Wow Frederic. This is so well expressed and brings tears to my eyes. No child should have to endure this. It hurts and lasts. Good luck in the contest.