The Unholy Terror of Little Tom

THE UNHOLY TERROR OF LITTLE TOM 

The bashing sounds of thunder echo in reverberation 
to the electrifying bolts of lightning that illuminated
every single room from dark to light just seconds earlier.
Sheets of rabid rain torpedo upon a leaky roof.
Broken limbs of trees tossed away by raucous sheets of sleet 
ram hard against the battered frame of the small cottage.

Little Tom holds close in a fetal position 
immobilized in fear and bowed down as a non person 
waiting stupefied quivering and frozen in spaceless
timeless obedience to all his emotions. 

The vibrations of the shaken windows
push and pull in harmonic rhythms 
accelerating into a persistent succession 
of unrelenting pounding pistons 
upon the naked wooden structure.

Little Tom awaits in terror for the moment
when the storm gates will crash in 
allowing the blizzard to surge the void 
and tear obliquely at his tender 
weakened shivering flesh.

He ties to hide by pressing deeper into the blackness of the night.
But the sparks of the fireplace dancing in rapid cadence 
against the wall reveal the shadow of his huddled form.

Wet and convulsing in unbecoming behavior 
Little Tom yells out DADDY, DADDY! 
.
His father, lays dormant and unconscious 
in a drunken stupor passed out and vacant 
on an unmade bed.

Worn and withered forlorn and terrified Little Tom
in one last whimper, cries himself to sleep

CAK 5-16-2013
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Cavanaugh Avatar
September 19, 2013 at 6:51 AM
The terror some children have to go through. very vivid poem. Well done.
Koven Avatar
September 19, 2013 at 8:00 AM
Thanks Jon. Many children, many adults live their lives with a Poe's pendulum hanging above. The world of extremes makes us question the world of reality. Allan
Morgan Avatar
August 22, 2013 at 8:24 PM
the boy in you speaks out loud and clear here nicely done i must drop by to read your others. . .
Koven Avatar
August 23, 2013 at 9:36 AM
Thank you Danesh. Hope to hear more of you. Allan
Perez Avatar
July 17, 2013 at 2:40 PM
you can find my website www.nolaperez.com I value connecting to other poets, here & elswhere
Perez Avatar
July 17, 2013 at 2:38 PM
Sorry, I mean my comment about Walter's attributes to read "highly published." Excuse the senior spelling moment. Nola
Perez Avatar
July 17, 2013 at 2:36 PM
I am a narrative poet who departed (evolved) from the way I wrote for a long time, this to the chagrin of my highly publicized/prizewinng poet teach and mentor in Atlanta, Walter Griffin of Atlanta Poets Studio. I love a story-telling poem, such as Little Tom. Thank you for reading me & commenting. Nola Perez
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
July 10, 2013 at 9:02 PM
Great story. I'm from the coal regions, hard working, hard drinking, blue collar families. I guess you could say a lot of little Toms growing up..
Koven Avatar
July 10, 2013 at 9:35 PM
Vince, we all had our demons to challenge us, didn't we? Fear is common to everyone. It's just that we fear different things for different reasons. I am claustrophobic and going down in a coal mine would scare the hell outa me.
Duncan Avatar
June 17, 2013 at 4:22 PM
Love the way you wrote this, and featured at that ;} thank you for liking my Kaleidoscope, you have an awesome ;}
Koven Avatar
June 17, 2013 at 4:28 PM
Thank you Debbie. Good to hear from you.
A   Avatar
June 9, 2013 at 12:09 AM
Hi Allan once again, Congratulations with your Featured Poem of the week :-) Take care, and enjoy your wonderful days ahead . Always & Forever! **LINDA**
A   Avatar
June 4, 2013 at 10:58 PM
Hi Allen once again. Dropping in with a nice warm WELCOME to poetry soup. My name is Linda; and I’m from the humid state of Texas. I’m here to invite you on over to my latest contest. You will find the contest page on the top left hand side* please consider my contest* hopefully I can be one of your first poetry soup friends. If you ever need or want honest feedback on a certain poem let me know. Do not hesitate on clicking my name when you spot it on the soup. I look forward in following you and your poetry. Hope to hear from you soon. You will enjoy the community; we are one big happy family. (Drama & Love. LOL) ~ Always * Linda
Koven Avatar
June 5, 2013 at 7:10 AM
Linda, thank you for your comments. You don't have to apologize for being from Texas (just kidding). I have read and commented very positively on some of your poetry. Looking forward to reading your latest. Allan (2a's 2L's)
A   Avatar
June 4, 2013 at 10:57 PM
Hello Allen, I haven't had the pleasure of welcoming you to the soup. a very dear story. made me sad. i don't like to sense terror in young ones.. I'll be right back with my small introduction...xox~ Linda
Koven Avatar
June 4, 2013 at 8:41 AM
Thank you, Shadow, I value your comments. Allan
Hamilton Avatar
June 4, 2013 at 6:19 AM
wow Allen one deep write here, the utter terror of this boy jumps off the page. excellent poem tenderly written Shadow
Koven Avatar
June 4, 2013 at 8:42 AM
Thank you, Shadow, I value your comments. Allan
Harper Avatar
May 31, 2013 at 9:13 PM
Sad tale, wonderful poem, Allan, enjoyed it.
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