Notes About The Poem

Part of a set of ten poems about LIFE, by Radical Rooney, from his book "The Century Collection"

With Water In My Eyes

WITH WATER IN MY EYES

I moved to town, and the people came
And stole from me

They took the brightness from my life
And the colour from my skies
They stole the pity from my eyes
And the fur from off my cat
They killed my pride and crippled my beliefs
Then buried my love, and planted seeds of lust

They used my body to poison my mind
And then they took my soul
And slowly crushed it dry
Now my skin grows thicker by the hour
My heart lies coated with envy
And I have learnt the power of hate

Now they own my body and my mind
Yet I feel so very strange
For my hungry hollow shell
That wanders home at night
Sometimes sees the stars
And I must lean against the wall

For I do not see so very well
With water in my eyes
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

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

Ogbuagu Avatar
August 24, 2025 at 3:24 AM
One could read this many times and not get bored. It has a strong message filled with DEEP emotions. Great writing. Thank you so much for sharing.
John Avatar
August 21, 2025 at 10:07 AM
I love it, good metaphors with heavy feelings
Herath Avatar
August 19, 2025 at 11:25 PM
This poem captures, with haunting beauty, the fading voice of a once-mighty machine. Through vivid imagery—the hiss of steam, the clank of coal, the echo of children’s laughter—it restores to life the spirit of the locomotive, only to contrast it with its rusting silence today. The language is both tender and elegiac, paying tribute to the faithful service of a train that once carried dreams, burdens, and lives along shining rails. It is not only a eulogy for a machine, but a meditation on time, memory, and forgotten service. With rhythm as steady as the rails and imagery as strong as steel, The Train reminds us that even rusted hulks hold dignity, history, and romance in their bones.
Kendrick Avatar
July 6, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Whoa!! This one is filled with emotion and understanding. Sara K
Nance Avatar
October 2, 2015 at 2:37 PM
aww, heartbreaking.
Rios Avatar
October 2, 2015 at 12:51 PM
I feel the same way
Thomas Avatar
October 2, 2015 at 11:18 AM
Such a powerful write that I enjoyed so much.... The words showed the transformation of a person to a hardened version of themselves, and it is quite vivid... Really takes the readers on a journey through the protagonists eyes...
Fisher Avatar
September 28, 2015 at 11:31 AM
Really strong write and enjoyed reading - Janette
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace