Chetta Achara Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

For: All About Family Contest

Sponsor: Len Gasun 

May 8, 2026

We Watched from the Upstairs Window

We watched from the upstairs window
when we retreated from Dad’s bellicose anger,
that family next-door laughed and played
as if they had nothing to fear from adults
who put on a happy face when out and about
but dissolved into dark shadows at home,
dark shadows that whispered evil things 
and shouted when you tried to explain
there was school work needed done,
and please don’t leave a bruise the teachers can see.

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Bartholomew Williams May 25, 2026 at 5:10 PM Chetta, congratulations on your strong #3 showing in the contest. You discussed the topic/theme using a path not taken by many others in this case. Thank you for being willing to do that. Blessings and very best to you and yours, Bartholomew Chetta Achara May 27, 2026 at 12:22 PM Thank you. Sadly, not all families are happy.

Terry Miller May 18, 2026 at 3:09 AM Painfully true for a lot of children, well written, congratulations Chetta Achara May 18, 2026 at 3:59 AM Thank you.

Andrea Dietrich May 17, 2026 at 1:08 PM Oh wow. This one is the dark side of family. Well done, Chetta. Congrats to you Chetta Achara May 17, 2026 at 3:41 PM Thank you.

sara Etgen-Baker May 11, 2026 at 5:20 PM I feel sadness and despair in your words as you express what is a harsh reality in some families. Chetta Achara May 15, 2026 at 10:44 PM It is a sad poem. Most of the time we don’t know what goes on behind closed doors.

Beryl Edmonds May 9, 2026 at 9:55 PM Children have feelings, some unnoticed, when rage burns alike a hot poultice. All children want and need is to live in peace and love, as intended by the ‘One’ above… Beryl Chetta Achara May 9, 2026 at 10:03 PM True.

Moon Harp May 9, 2026 at 8:36 PM Ooohh Chetta, this is an amazing poem and so well developed. This, the lot of many children fearing what could happen next. If this is for a contest I would call it a winner. Moon Harp Chetta Achara May 9, 2026 at 9:49 PM Thank you. Sadly, not all families are happy and well adjusted. I wish they were.