How are you Mother,
are you happy?
Then why are your eyes
void of the light...
the light that I had seen when
it was just you and I in the park.
You had let your hair loose, and
your voice resembled the chirping birds.
You had held me tight
and said with moist eyes
'I'm so happy'
I did believe you then,
but today you just lie!
You lie when I ask
Who is he?
He can't be my father!
coz he never hugs me,
nor tells me stories,
and he calls me 'you boy'
and not my name!
But you say he is! You say,
'He left when you were 2'
but why is he back now?
now that I'm 7 and grown,
now that I understand
ways of this world!
And he can't be your husband
coz I see no love,
all I see is that you are blue,
blue here and there.
And again you lie,
lower your eyes, hide, and
meekly say 'it's just a rash,
But I know otherwise!
coz I hear it every night,
every night when he comes drunk.
How are you Mother,
are you happy?
Take courage,
and answer truthfully now!
We can go back to being
just you and me!
Breakfree ma,
you want to, don't you?
Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye. We should never underestimate the understanding of a child. They are the first ones on whom an abusive loveless relationship takes effect. Their heart understands the sadness and they start to reject life. A woman should not consider herself a weaker sex. Keeping quiet and bearing the ruthlessness of life is not courage. Saying 'NO' is! To breakfree is!
This above form of poetry is called Epistle. The term epistle comes from the Latin word 'epistola' meaning letter, hence this form of poetry is written as a letter. There are no more complications to it. These generally don't rhyme but are more a form of voice and persona. More examples can be seen here and here.
Linking this to Write Tribe and open linky's at Poets United and With Real Toads. Happy Monday folks!! Have a bea'YOU'tiful week!
are you happy?
Then why are your eyes
void of the light...
the light that I had seen when
it was just you and I in the park.
You had let your hair loose, and
your voice resembled the chirping birds.
You had held me tight
and said with moist eyes
'I'm so happy'
I did believe you then,
but today you just lie!
You lie when I ask
Who is he?
He can't be my father!
coz he never hugs me,
nor tells me stories,
and he calls me 'you boy'
and not my name!
But you say he is! You say,
'He left when you were 2'
but why is he back now?
now that I'm 7 and grown,
now that I understand
ways of this world!
And he can't be your husband
coz I see no love,
all I see is that you are blue,
blue here and there.
And again you lie,
lower your eyes, hide, and
meekly say 'it's just a rash,
But I know otherwise!
coz I hear it every night,
every night when he comes drunk.
How are you Mother,
are you happy?
Take courage,
and answer truthfully now!
We can go back to being
just you and me!
Breakfree ma,
you want to, don't you?
Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye. We should never underestimate the understanding of a child. They are the first ones on whom an abusive loveless relationship takes effect. Their heart understands the sadness and they start to reject life. A woman should not consider herself a weaker sex. Keeping quiet and bearing the ruthlessness of life is not courage. Saying 'NO' is! To breakfree is!
This above form of poetry is called Epistle. The term epistle comes from the Latin word 'epistola' meaning letter, hence this form of poetry is written as a letter. There are no more complications to it. These generally don't rhyme but are more a form of voice and persona. More examples can be seen here and here.
Linking this to Write Tribe and open linky's at Poets United and With Real Toads. Happy Monday folks!! Have a bea'YOU'tiful week!
Beautiful verses :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks dear :)
DeleteSo true...I think sometimes children DO understand much more than one gives them credit for! Strong writing here.
ReplyDeleteI believe so too Mary. Thanks for visiting!
Deletea scenario that plays out all over the world and too often.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad state Tex...everywhere :(
DeleteSuch truth here, Aditi. Children do see things...do understand things intuitively. This was so sad and so beautiful. I would love to hear the mother's response to this epistle.
ReplyDeleteI never can understand why a woman, a mother will stay in an abusive and or loveless relationship... Society?? Better off being with the known devil?? I could never perhaps pen down the answer...
DeleteLovely take, Aditi! Children are very perceptive and have quite a distinct way of looking at the relationship of their parents...or anything that affects them around them. Its a beautiful letter in the form of a poem. Nice one!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kajal n a great prompt too by you! :)
DeleteThis is awesome. It is amazing how much our children take in and understand even at a very young age. They pick up on things. Our anger, sadness, and all that they are attune to. Great take on the prompt. ♥
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy....children do understand...
DeleteAditi such a profound meaning behind the post. Your poetry and the excerpt brought out tears in my eyes. It is true that children are very susceptible to emotions more than words. And hence often we are what we experienced as kids. And when I say experience I mean actions or feelings and not words...
ReplyDeleteRicha
I know what you're saying Richa...it is very imp how a child is brought up, in what kind of environment... It really does effect them growing up!
DeleteAn interesting post that I enjoyed reading. Good poem.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.
Thanks Andrew!
DeleteNever underestimate the understanding and wisdom of a child....well penned truth
ReplyDeleteThanks Susie...
DeleteWell said.. I agree.. never underestimate the understanding of a child. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steph for visiting here...
Deleteyou penned a truth which many havenot taken notice of... a child has an insight that is often ignored...
ReplyDeleteSo true Robert...thanks!
DeleteYes the understanding of children who see with their hearts as well as their eyes….A sad story here and I hope she did break free!
ReplyDeleteI wish so too Peggy...so many women don't...this is a plea!
DeleteBeautiful! Children live with these impressions made at a young age. To be courageous n break free is an invaluable one.
ReplyDeleteLoved it.
Invaluable indeed... Thanks sis!
Deletevery well written...inspirational for a woman. Loved it :-)
ReplyDeleteSeema
Thanks Seema for visiting here! :)
DeleteA new form of poetry learnt. And, true that a child can see the invisible and uncomfortable truths in the parents'. Sometimes they don't understand what it is but they never fail to discern. But this is not true for every child, i reckon. What say, A?
ReplyDeleteJoy always,
Susan
P. S. Thanks for stopping by my posts, it means a lot to me. Forgive me if I don't stop by more often. I will try my best to, dear Aditi. Much love.
Susan every child understands...however true that each may his/her own way of dealing with the negative/uncomfortable environment. They may either become broken from inside and loose faith in love, or they may create a fantasy world of their own to run/hide away from the pain, or they may become strong and mature from a young age....either way they get effected in an unnatural way and loose most of their childhood... Hence a plea to any woman out there who is not happy in their marriage... Breakfree!
DeleteP.s. thanks for visiting dear...always treasure your comments!
Never knew what an epistle was, thanks Aditi for all the new things that u teach me :)
ReplyDeleteLoved this piece, the ideas and the expression; beautiful!
Thanks ma!
Deleteso sad, the understandings of this child and the truths with which he lives
ReplyDeleteI know Kim :(
DeleteHmm. The thoughts of a child. Innocence does take a hit when such things happen near to them. And that either leads to pain or maturity. I think this is the latter, thankfully. Good poem.
ReplyDeleteThanks Leo...
DeleteThis made me sad!! Oh yes, children are very perceptive, they understand everything.
ReplyDeleteVery poignant expression, Aditi!
Thanks Shilpa
DeleteChildren do see in their own unique way what happens around them, and they perception is not easily deceived.
ReplyDeleteSo true Kenia...thanks for the visit!
DeleteGorgeously written Aditi. I'm not big on verses and poems, but this was amazing. Keep going strong
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Sid!
DeleteThat is a new form of poetry I learnt about today. You have used it brilliantly with the prompt Aditi. Such emotions, such feelings. The child's helplessness is so visible. Children of such marriages live with such scars all their life. At least for their sake , mothers should break free! A lovely message.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jyoti dear :)
DeleteThat was beautiful Aditi.. Gave me goosebumps. And you're so right.. children do pick up much more than what we credit them for.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tulika :)
DeleteWow! That was beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI'm always in awe of poets!
You are right ofcourse - Children do pick up and observe so much more than what we give them credit for! :)
Thanks Pixie for such a lovely compliment... Calling me a poet n all.. :D
DeleteYes, children are extremely perceptive much more than we can imagine. Loved the verses. Very poignant!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachna :)
DeleteBefore I came here, I knew you gotta shock us with the thought-provoking take on the prompt, Aditi. It's so true that one should never under-estimate the reasoning of a child and a woman should never feel inferior and weak. I am speechless, Aditi:)
ReplyDeletehttp://vishalbheeroo.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/wednesday-prompt-20144-sometimes-the-heart-sees-what-is-invisible-to-the-eye
Thank u Vishal for this lovely comment!
DeleteToday’s kids are more advanced in learning and understanding things… Great perspective and emotional drive in write up. Keep it up
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Jeevan :)
DeleteThis is just beautiful and sends a wonderful message of hope! I love it. Well done, Aditi :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Loredana...your words mean a lot!
Delete