You Can'T Hurt Me

Resounding echoes awaken the child
demons in the attic beckon unto him
stark fear grips his Vick's laden chest
shivers vibrate rusty springs of down

footsteps creak closer upon loose floorboards
while steamed filled pipes play taps
a somber teddybear snarls
causing the world to be still

foolish nuns, God doesn't want to "get me"

the sting of a ruler splinters a left hand
blood spurts upon faces of laughter
evil little boy too wicked for a mother
affliction runs in the family

Florence became flop because she always fell
polio never whipped her ass
just abused her now and then
she healed with a smile

Even humility has its price

Jimmy Dean wore sunglasses
maybe his eyes were bloodshot
or maybe he was a child of an alcoholic
and they became part of his attire

degenerate eye disease, masturbation
spattering or battering
does it really matter when you can't see
or understand the difference between ADD and ADHD

Psych 101: Crack can be Prozac

Iron gates surround a new residence
protecting the innocent who peer from outside
rehabilitation means refining bad habits
like those on the outside who have mastered them

twelve years of bars and games people play
provide an education unto itself
seclusion can be the deciding factor
between murder or suicide

self righteous judges choose life

recidivism is a revolving door
of vicious cycles with no engines
only propellers called co-dependants
or co-defendants, take your pick

life repeats itself over and over
only the circumstances change
yet the merry-go-round stops
when the flowers are arranged

Why are most tombstones gray

scared, afraid to die
are you saved?
from what, ourselves
you can't hurt me

Bob Shank-Nov. 30th, 2006
Copyright © | Year Posted 2006

Poem

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12
Brown Avatar
February 2, 2012 at 7:01 AM
I have truly enjoyed reading your poetry you have posted here at PoetrySoup. You are a very special poet and I wish you the best in your life and with your poetry. Two thumbs up to you Bob. Love and best wishes always, Carol
Egloff-Metzgar Avatar
March 29, 2011 at 11:25 AM
One of my favorites! Alot of awakening feelings. Well done:)
George   Avatar
May 30, 2009 at 7:27 AM
ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL PIECES OF WRITING I HAVE EVER READ. RAW AND REAL! A MASTERPIECE!!!!! lainie
Brown Avatar
May 26, 2009 at 3:26 AM
Congratulations on your poetry being featured this week. Love, Carol
Mason Avatar
May 25, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Totally, totally, totally IDENTIFY my friend, Bob Shank and Welcome To PoetrySoup. This is a very well-deserved selection to be a feature write this week. LOVE THE TITLE and thank you so much for putting real on paper. The candy coating isn't life grand stuff gets really boring after awhile ... LOL ... but this has been a great site for me to LET IT OUT and still remain civil ... smile ...
Moreno Avatar
May 25, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Bob, congrats with your feature...Raul
Winter Avatar
May 25, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Congrats on your winning poem being featured this week! Love, Shar
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
May 25, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Reposting the winners. This was definitely one. A poetic reality show. Congrats on he refeature. Vince
Christian Avatar
May 25, 2009 at 10:42 AM
congrats on your featured poem God bless from diane
Adeite Avatar
May 25, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Congrats once again as you are being honoured once again with another feature of the week. We can’t get this kind of well deserved honour else where other than poetrysoup. Keep writing, you are a great poet… Leke
Tugaff Avatar
May 25, 2009 at 12:23 AM
Hi Bob, congratulations of your featured poem this week. MOre power and success with your writing. Ernilando.
 Avatar
May 24, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Just wanted to drop by and add congratulations on having your poem featured to my other comment. Another honor for this poem. Wishing you ongoing success with your writing. Karen
George   Avatar
January 13, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Hi Bob, A POWERFUL PIECE OF WRITING!!! Congratulations on your win. Love, Lainie
Mallett Avatar
January 9, 2009 at 6:44 PM
Congratulations on your win. Very well written poem!
Barnett Avatar
January 8, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Congratulations. Such a heartwrenching piece full of raw emotion. I liked the word choice and structure. This is the kind of piece that grabs the reader and pulls at heartstrings. Great job!
 Avatar
January 7, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Interesting use of imagery to convey your thoughts. Congratulations on being one of the contest winners. Keep on writing! Karen
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
January 5, 2009 at 6:44 PM
Congrats Bob on being chosen a winner in the September contest. Vince
Wellbelove Avatar
January 5, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Well done! Christopher
Mason Avatar
January 5, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Absolutely astounding write here, Bob. Its #1 in my book. Should be required reading ... smile ... somewhere. Congratulations to you and I look forward to reading more of your writing.
Winter Avatar
January 4, 2009 at 6:24 AM
Congrats on your win in the PS contest! Love, Shar
Reynolds Avatar
January 4, 2009 at 2:47 AM
Congrats on this well deserved win! I love your poetry, you're one of my favorites, congrats! Kristin
Johnson Avatar
January 3, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Congratulations on your win in final. Great work. Joyce
Heck Avatar
November 30, 2008 at 8:42 AM
Congratulations on your poem making Round One of the PSoup poetry contest! Wishing you all the best in the finals and have a Happy Holiday season. Peace always, John
Jordan Avatar
November 29, 2008 at 8:09 PM
Bob - Congrats on your poetry making it through to the next round – Great Job & God Bless
Brown Avatar
November 19, 2008 at 3:46 AM
Congratulations on your poetry making it through the first round. Good luck in the finals. Love, Carol
12
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