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Yesterday's Wishes

School bullies will always call you names, but would they if they knew I was your blood? Maybe the insults would have stopped. There would have been a lot less scraps. I would be a man without unhealed scars. If only my mum had not caught your eye.. Why couldn't you have been like Charles Darwin. Taught me the difference between right and wrong. Built me a tree house or shown me how to shave, but you were no torchbearer for my flame. I wanted to be as tough as you, but my strength was trapped with fear. Your anger meant, I was too afraid to ask. Silently, I questioned your hypocrisy. If only, you had not walked away. Instead of blaming each other, I wonder if we would have formed a bond, but stubbornness tasted like bitter gourd. If we took time to explain - possibly apologised. Maybe, you would not have died without talking.

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Charlotte Puddifoot

Date: 7/10/2024 7:16:00 AM

i like your intensely personal take on the theme, hard hitting and honest; writing can be an effective therapy...congrats on your win in craig's contest

Susan Ashley

Date: 7/8/2024 8:53:00 AM

Dear Silent One, it's an honor to share the podium with you. Back with congrats for your win in Craig's contest for your intimate and moving poem. Warmest wishes my inspiring friend.. ~Susan

Di11y Da11y

Date: 7/6/2024 2:53:00 AM

It's tough to imagine alternative timelines and the difference they'd have made. Congratulations on your placement

Terry Miller

Date: 7/6/2024 1:54:00 AM

Back with congratulations

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 7/5/2024 10:44:00 PM

So sad. So very sad. God bless you always and Congrats. Love, Gina

thriveni c mysore

Date: 7/5/2024 6:56:00 PM

Congratulations on your win dear poet. Happy writing.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/3/2024 10:33:00 AM

So this was a bully who has since died without ever talking things out with people? So sad, Silent One

Duke Beaufort

Date: 7/3/2024 10:14:00 AM

SO, Sad story indeed. A line from a film goes, "It's not your fault." Just unfortunate that the fallout hurt so much. I am glad that you seem to have resolved it all...it's much better to understand and not carry around hurt and anger unexpressed. It may always be there, but sharing can help a lot. In your last line, you express some grief and compassion, which I found really touching. It's a lesson for everyone and a sign that you are really a role model and exemplar for sanity. It's hard to accomplish!!

Silent One
Date: 7/3/2024 2:24:00 PM

That is a lovely thing to say Duke.. Thank you.. We only drown if we stay in the water..

Valsa George

Date: 7/1/2024 9:00:00 PM

Bullies will be there in schools. It is quite natural. But if parents give support at a tender age when bullying can easily upset a child, either the peers will stop bullying or the child will tend to ignore it. In your case your father was not there to groom you into a tree. His temper prevented you from being close to him and at a certain period of your life, he walked away, giving no chance for you to talk, apologize or come to a reconciliation. I see your wounded childhood. This poem is so heart breaking. Let your poetry transcend and heal the pain of all hurts in your life.

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 2:11:00 AM

Thanks Valsa, I've realised that people who like to harass and bully have their own issues, especially those who carry it on into adulthood... Some of them act innocent, which in reality shows their narcissistic side... It is like they are so jealous of others, they like to make things up about them.. such is their imagination.. Thank you

Unseeking Seeker

Date: 7/1/2024 7:59:00 PM

releasing regrets of what could have been, as we accept life as it is, neither seeking nor negating, recognising this dream life has been optimised for soul growth, to feel pain of separation and bliss of union in the heart, transcending all opposites we ascend. beautiful poem, Silent One, deeply moving, thanks for sharing and thereby refining our consciousness.

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 2:15:00 AM

You are right and I do not let pests and fools to effect my peace anymore... Like Rumi said ignore those who make you fearful and lead you back to death... I've overcome many a wolf in sheep clothing... Thanks.

Tom Woody

Date: 7/1/2024 3:11:00 PM

Well, I can relate on a different level, as you know from reading my Daddy poem. But I think worse for you, since your formative years were impacted. Not so for me. As an adult I could better handle the hypocrisy and rejection. In any case, this is bio poetry at its most honest and heartfelt

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 2:18:00 AM

Its not easy growing up without a father, but there were times when he helped, and there were times when he literally carried me to hospital in his arms.. but I wanted that all the time.. not when he wanted to.. But, I am what I am today, despite him, as I never wanted to be like him.. Thanks for relating.

Nancy Kaufman

Date: 7/1/2024 1:04:00 PM

Hi Silent One, This poem depicts the sadness of emotionally abusive fathers. It reminded me a bit of what I've read Donald Trump's early life was like, accept that his mother was aloof and unavailable for his needed nurturing. I hope this is not based on any reality for you. Very touching write.

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 2:19:00 AM

It is reality... But everything happens for a reason and we all have struggles.. Thank you.

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 7/1/2024 10:51:00 AM

What a powerful yet sad write. At any age bullies are bullies because people let them do it. It is a form of power over someone at any age. So very sorry... Yesterday is gone, try to let the bad go with it. I know that is easier said then done. Have a blessed day writing away..................

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 2:21:00 AM

Yes you are right, bullies in person, i could deal with... thats why there were so many scraps.. its these virtual bullies that make me laugh... Hiding like cowards and trolls behind computer screens.... lonely people who need to get a life and stay off the whiskey.. maybe rehab.. thanks.

Zyrool Gifford

Date: 7/1/2024 10:27:00 AM

Heartbreakingly sad, Silent. Sending some healing vibes your way, my friend. Enjoy your day.

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 2:22:00 AM

Thank you, yes, I have.. despite the snakes..

Nette Onclaud

Date: 7/1/2024 6:44:00 AM

Bullies are cowards wanting real hard to show off power they'll never have...a reverberating work filled with catharsis and grit...I can feel your dominant vibe ,a slew of anger here, S... salute!

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 2:23:00 AM

Yes you are right, especially the virtual cowards, as you know about... I will always stand strong against those who try to stop your vibe.. keep on writing your wonderful poetry.. Thanks

Terry Miller

Date: 7/1/2024 2:07:00 AM

An excellent heartfelt poem

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 2:28:00 AM

Thanks..

Maria Williams

Date: 7/1/2024 1:38:00 AM

Dear S1, sounds like you wanted to be as strong as your father, but fear and his anger made it hard for you to have a loving relationship. Your silent questioning of his actions shows you hurt to this day. I'm so sorry to see it. It's tough when so many questions are left unanswered as well. Great outpouring of emotion...Hugs

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 2:30:00 AM

We've met a few times and you know much of my story... Its nice to have genuine friends and supporters like you.. But, as you know today's bullies hide behind computer screens and get a kick of trolling and writing mean comments and statements about others.. In those days, I had my own way to deal with things, but these days the cowards a virtual vampires lol.. Thanks for your support

Tonye George

Date: 6/30/2024 8:52:00 PM

This is so heartfelt and sad with needs and emotions spewing up and down. Honestly, some wounds can't be healed. it can only be dressed by someone who understands and is willing to give us that love we've craved for all our lives. It's been almost 30 years and I still haven't found words to express some wounds. I hope to find someone to help me deal with it. it's not something I can entirely heal from. Abandonment is not what people heal from, especially from a parent. Great write Silent.

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 2:31:00 AM

I am sorry for what you had to go through and appreciate your support..It is great to have genuine people like you on poetry soup, where most are sincere, except for a few snakes lol..

Susan Ashley

Date: 6/30/2024 8:17:00 PM

Dear Silent One, your poignant pen spills a portrait of a neglected son, with deep heartfelt longing, sadness and unsettled emotional wants and wishes, upon the poetic page. If only your father could have been your hero instead of leaving you with “unhealed scars”… the pain and anguish is palpable. A deeply moving and haunting piece. Warmest wishes my inspiring friend.. ~Susan

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 2:54:00 AM

I think many have unhealed scars, it is worse when some like to wound them further, but I stay clear of such people.. Thank you

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 6/30/2024 5:15:00 PM

Silent One, I can relate to your pain, for me it was the same… Beryl

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 2:54:00 AM

Thank you Beryl..

Sotto Poet

Date: 6/30/2024 3:35:00 PM

Hey, my friend, This is A compelling poem about a father-son relationship with squandered opportunities for learning and connection. A distant and abusive father shaped the speaker's life. The poem expresses the speaker's anguish, longing, and regret with powerful imagery and emotion. With words like "unhealed scars," "hypocrisy," and "bitter gourd," the poem is more emotive. Metaphors like comparing the father to Charles Darwin and bitter gourd complicate the father-son connection.

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 2:55:00 AM

Thank you for your wonderful support my friend..

Deb M

Date: 6/30/2024 3:07:00 PM

Oh S.O that truly touched my heart….So sad to not have been able to talk , understand and forgive! A poignant piece….sending a big Cuddle to you!! Debx

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 2:55:00 AM

Thanks Deb..

Joseph May

Date: 6/30/2024 2:08:00 PM

A longing for a different outcome, A poignant write Silent

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 2:55:00 AM

Thanks Jo..

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 6/30/2024 2:00:00 PM

This is so very sad S, when our father's dye without forgiveness, it haunts us forever. I seen it happen first hand here , I know :)

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 2:51:00 AM

Thank you, yes, I have seen it also...

Ink Empress

Date: 6/30/2024 12:40:00 PM

Dear silent one, quite a sad story this is, so sincere and emotive! Youv expressed so well! But sometimes somethings happen to shape what is in store, so i believe, if mum hadnt caught his eye, we readers wont be able to find a fine poet like silent one to read: this story is truly soul stirring, and i felt so many emotions reading it. Those if onlys and unanswered questions, and how we wonder if anything would’ve been different etc is what sometimes drowns us in grief. How poetically raw this is truly left me speechless especially the ending! I felt this one. Best wishes. You are truly a silent samurai, with your pen as your sword, weaving innermost emotions with such impeccable diction and ink! Sending you light

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 3:57:00 AM

Yeah you know too well about haters, as you have had them around you all your life... and then they act all innocent and victims..

Ink Empress
Date: 7/2/2024 3:14:00 AM

Yea stinking snakes, alligator tears. Know them all

Silent One
Date: 7/2/2024 2:51:00 AM

Thanks, you know my story so well as we've spoke about it, but we only drown if we stay in the water and adversity makes us stronger... it helps to ignore those who like to spew hatred... Snakes will be snakes, I guess...Especially green snakes..