Arlene Smith Poet Sonnet

What I Gave

Thirty-four years of fist fights and screaming fits;
 threats of killing, suicide; public embarrassments.
In front of my husband and son they crossed a line.
What I gave them was a piece of my mind.

"I am done with this." "We should part ways." I said,
"Before someone ends up seriously hurt, or dead."
I felt no sadness. I couldn't shed a tear.
To think about it; I gave them 15 years.

I went to see them, knowing their health was bad.
Prayer and apologies from me, Mom and Dad.
Things are better after our long time apart.
Peace of mind for fifteen years; lost.... a piese of my heart.

With great sadnes, of disfunction I tell.
For giving and losing..... the balance scale.



July 01, 2014
Contest: What I gave
Sponsor: Sheri Fresonke Harper

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D.W. Rodgers July 18, 2014 at 8:42 PM Sad but powerful, revealing inner strength, thanks for sharing. Congrats on you win. Arlene Smith July 18, 2014 at 8:50 PM Thank you, Dave my friend.. Nice of you to stop by.. Hugs.. Arlene

Faye Gibson July 14, 2014 at 1:41 PM Great write, Arlene. Sometimes it so difficult to draw the boundaries when the people are so close to us, Congratulations on your placement in the contest. Arlene Smith July 14, 2014 at 2:31 PM Thank you so much, dear Faye! Hugs.. Arlene

Paul Callus July 14, 2014 at 9:14 AM This is strong and expressive, Arlene! When a line is crossed it's best to keep the distance, for as long as need be, otherwise things could only get worse. Making up is a reward in itself; time has a way with healing wounds. The scars?...well, they have their uses, too! Congrats on your fine win. // paul Arlene Smith July 14, 2014 at 2:30 PM Paul, I cannot express how greatful I am for your very helpful words here.. Thank you, my friend from the bottom of my heart.. Hugs.. Arlene

Dr. Upma A. Sharma July 14, 2014 at 5:27 AM Beautiful write Arlene ! It really needs courage to take bold steps,, glad u cud,, hats off to u ,, congrats on big win! Arlene Smith July 14, 2014 at 2:28 PM Thank you so much, dear Dr. Upma! Hugs.. Arlene

Robert Johnson July 10, 2014 at 9:07 PM Profound generosity of soul in this. And quite brave. Peace. :) Arlene Smith July 10, 2014 at 9:24 PM This one took the wind out of my sails for a few days, but it was good to get it out.. Thank you my friend.. Hugs.. Arlene

Robert Lindley July 10, 2014 at 8:15 PM A very emotional and well written piece my friend! Always better to leave such strife behind sooner rather than later. Glad you have done well since then.. BBravoooooo on the write!!!! Arlene Smith July 10, 2014 at 8:44 PM thank you, Robert my friend.. Hugs.. Arlene

Lucilla Carrillo July 8, 2014 at 7:07 PM To live something like this is not easy. You came out of all that. Thank God that things are now better. Sometimes it has been said that it is better to have a good divorce than a bad Marriage. Thanks for sharing... Lucilla Arlene Smith July 9, 2014 at 6:37 AM Dear Lucilla, I so much appreciate your words here, especially the good divorce. So true.. Hugs my friend.. Arlene

Sara Kendrick July 8, 2014 at 6:28 AM Expressive and emotive work that you have penned for the contest..Reads like winning material to me..Thanks for the visit to my page..It is sad that some homes are filled with dysfunction or turmoil or rage or abuse or illegal drug use, etc. but it still does happen..Have a great day..Sara

Kelly Deschler July 8, 2014 at 12:56 AM We have had situations like this in my family and it is such a sad thing. Sometimes, those old issues can never get resolved. Even our closest relatives need time apart from us, and that time can sometimes be too long.... This poem was very expressive and well written! Good luck in the contest, Arlene!

Vera Duggan July 7, 2014 at 7:43 PM Arlene, how sad this is and so well written, we are not suppose to hate our parents but in some cases we do, I do not know because I had a good relationship with mine, so glad everything is fine with you now, take care my dear...........Vera...........

Richard Lamoureux July 7, 2014 at 7:32 PM This is a sad tale, I am glad you made emends. Unfortunately the years cannot be reclaimed but piece of mind can be reclaimed.

David Williams July 6, 2014 at 4:41 PM Arlene ..honest, brave, true, relative, empathy, memories, love, hate, sadness, escapism... David Arlene Smith July 7, 2014 at 2:26 PM Thank you, David, my friend for your comments.. Yes, all the above.. Hugs.. Arlene

Jack Horne July 5, 2014 at 3:37 PM heartfelt write, my friend Arlene Smith July 7, 2014 at 2:22 PM Thank you for stopping by, Jack, my friend!.. Hugs.. Arlene

Jeremy Street July 4, 2014 at 9:14 PM Ahhh Humanity, Sigh....KLove * Arlene Smith July 7, 2014 at 2:21 PM Yes, it is an odd thing sometimes.. Hugs, Jeremy, my friend.. Arlene

Anne-Lise Andresen July 2, 2014 at 5:19 AM - So heartbreaking and touching "gift" - a poem that are written with your soul Arlene - Good luck in the contest. - Wish you a nice day. - oxox // Anne-Lise :) Arlene Smith July 2, 2014 at 6:01 AM Thank you so much, sweet Anne Lise. It was what it was and now it is good. I got it out and now I shall write about happier things.. Hugs, my friend.. Arlene

Andrea Dietrich July 2, 2014 at 1:26 AM wow, they sound a bit like my husband's parents. Some really crazy stuff in his family and I am so thankful we live far away from them. It's sad for you but better that you in the long run to be out of their lives. Good heart felt poem! Arlene Smith July 2, 2014 at 5:57 AM Hey, Andrea, my friend! It only took standing up to them and letting them know I wouldn't be around their bull anymore. Their health has given them pause now. They are very different and we see each other all the time. We are all of our experiences and I think I turned out OK. Lol.. Hugs.. Arlene

Richard Palmer July 1, 2014 at 9:59 PM the facts of life,great write Arlene,I felt the sadness,best wishes in the contest Arlene Smith July 2, 2014 at 5:37 AM Thank you, Richard! It is against my beliefs to discuss giving as in alms, so I went another direction. Everything we do is a giving of ourselves in some way.. All is smiles now.. Hugs, my friend.. Arlene

Arthur Vaso July 1, 2014 at 9:18 PM Very sad this is a reality for many, but how nice to express this in a poem for all to understand! To bad the ones who need to understand , most likely are not poets! Arlene Smith July 2, 2014 at 5:31 AM So true, Arthur my friend. I wish I had written a long time ago. It is very therapeutic, but I think it would have been too dark and that isn't me. I am actually a very humorous person!.. :-) .. Hugs.. Arlene

Jack Clark July 1, 2014 at 8:44 PM The road of a shared life starts out so well ... by the time the speed bumps and pot holes have become countless - it's time for the off ramp. It sounds as if you've found yours - and I'm glad. A telling write, and a darned good one. Jack C Arlene Smith July 1, 2014 at 9:05 PM Thank you so much for your words here, Jack my friend.. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. I'm a pretty tough lil cookie.. Lol.. I am very happy and very grateful.. Hugs buddy.. Arlene

Robert Nehls July 1, 2014 at 8:16 PM Lots of turmoil there, Arlene. Sounds like some really hard times. Sounds like you did the right thing. Hard to do but you saved the family a lot of pain. Bless you my friend... Robert. Arlene Smith July 1, 2014 at 8:25 PM Thank you, Robert.. It was difficult, and there were good times too.. The good was good, but the bad was horrible. Lol.. I have learned to laugh at almost anything.. It is goo d for the soul. All is well now and I am thankful to have peaceful times with them... Hugs, my friend.. Arlene

Debbie Guzzi July 1, 2014 at 4:17 PM Yes we must all come to peace with family or go the grave in unrest. Light & Love Arlene Smith July 1, 2014 at 4:30 PM So true, Debbie, my friend. We play the hand we are dealt, but sometimes we have to know when to fold.. Take a break.. Love and hugs to you.. Arlene