I AM better.
It took years to purge the hurt, the pain
Remove the stain
Release what remained
Of the deep humiliation.
White trash label from parents of friends
Grandfather who’d not make amends
Father, mean drunk, nights, weekends
Relatives who’d deny and defend
Then reprimand
Because I spoke up.
Raw.
Wronged.
Banged the gong.
Told the tale ~ told the truth.
Offered proof.
“Every family has secrets.”
“They’re no better than us.”
“You’re no better than us, little miss high and mighty.”
But I was.
Sometimes there is better or worse.
And all you have to do is choose.
I AM better.
You ARE better..every word..every story you tell..just being ‘you’..makes you so..Jae ;)
I am glad you and I can so easily adore one another! ;-)
A story many people carry. You wrote it very well x
It is a common thread in humanity’s quilt!
Oh my…what a tale. I really felt that. Well written Kim!
Glad it was moving, Elaine!
Raw, poignant, powerful piece Kim… You should post this over on Writer’s Island as well. This week’s prompt on the Island is Secret… :)
Thanks, Rob! I shall.
A powerful write. We can be more.
We can be if we choose to be.
Very, very well written. A post that can only be effective in its message because it came from the heart of the writer herself. Raw, an open wound that has finally healed. Thank you for sharing this with us. I had posted one that dealt with the very same thing about a friend in class. Here it is if you’d like to take a gander: Courage and Disclosure
All the best Kim and sending you ((hugs))
Thanks, Sweet Rebecca. I’ll wander over to your post now.
Every word spoke so much to me….and i like the way u penned it and the beauty of appearance….most of all …cd feel a lot of it….loved it :)
Speaks to lots our experiences.
That’s the ticket! A bit of self-awareness. The determination to do and be better, and what happens? You get better.
Absolutely right, Altonian!
Wow, you might as well have been in my heart while writing this piece, finding all of my nook and crannies. The picture is wonderfully bleak but gives hope because you are better. Thanks for sharing this with us, it is greatly appreciated!
Lots of us have lots in common…
all right! love it
Thanks, MM!
Wonderful in both content and presentation! Congratuations to you on being brave enough to speak out and to find healing in your life. We are survivors and we celebrate that!
So happy you read and commented Sophie! It is good to learn the lessons, break the patterns, break away.
Wonderfully said! I applaud your bravery.
My Blog
Brave, bold, ballsy broad!
A beautifully written cry from the core of you. The free style of the poem fits the subject matter perfectly.
Vivienne,
I am always pleased to see you’ve been here and commented. Thank you for your appreciative words. I liked the funky style, too.
Wow Kim. Powerful writing. Hopefully inspires healing!
Healing happened quite some time ago, Lisa. I am now an exceedingly content and self-assured old gal.
You rock! Good work and good write!
Thank, Mary!
Beautiful and empathetically written, Kim. You can feel the raw emotion seeping through each line.
Awesome! It takes a lot of strength to rise out of that childhood and not be a bitter mess.
Well… I did wallow in bitter messiness for a while, but it was just too damned uncomfortable! LOL!
Obviously a Universal and I can only relate to the feelings that carve a deep path and last a long time, until that time comes to reach beyond all of it and find self. Wonderfully raw write,
Elizabeth
The raw moments of life rebirth a new voice.
Wonderful way to put it, Christine.
Thankyou so much for sharing your piece. I believe we all carry some essence of our childhood and your beautiful writing shows just how much you’ve come out on top…congratulations girl!
… and I thank you for your kindness!
Kim…
I’m amazed not only at how I could relate to what you wrote…but how many have also made comments to the same! I have admired your writing…have connected with the love story you’ve unveiled, and now the history from which you have emerged. Thank you for sharing your heart, for it encourages mine.
…Paula
Perhaps that is why we each are inspired to share…
Kim, this was starkly honest. I’m not sure if this is written from real life, but it came across as such… The slanders, the brutal words and actions of family, sometimes make artists into what they are, simply driven by the need to express this side of the human condition.
Perhaps I had a psychic connection with you, because mine is also about family secrets, and quite real:
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/bound-writers-island/
Peace, Amy
We do seem to have walked parallel paths, Amy. Yours delivers a strong message about the beauty of coming into one’s own.
Bold, Brave and Beautiful!! You have crafted it clearly and distinctly!!
Bold, Brave and Beautiful!! I LOVE those descriptors!
I often think of your story because adults/kids (myself included) are quick to affix labels and assume a person’s home situation determines who they are. Everyone has the right to be Something Better.
We do that, when we don’t know better. Such a human response. And you’re absolutely right, V, everyone, anyone, can choose to be Something Better.
Fantastic write Kim, and I truly identify with you in this. I hope you’ll get a chance to check out my poem, “There was a Moment…” http://got-2-write.blogspot.com/2011/03/there-was-moment.html
I’ve come to look forward to reading your work and do enjoy it. This piece was no exception!
Gloria,
I am happy every time I see your name in my comments moderation box. Thank you for your ongoing support. And I’m heading over to your “Moment” right now.
You write with a great free flowing style. Thank you.
Thanks, Shane!
Thanks Kim :) I’m responding here because I can’t for the life of me figure out how to respond to people’s comments on my blog. Only thing I can do is leave a comment like I’m visiting my own site….lol, maybe I’m just tech challenged. Anyway, I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!!
Absolute pleasure, Gloria. I like your work.
Powerful. And obviously spoken from a place of depth and truth.
I loved the way each line punched out the hurt. Your character however is strong and right. Believing in oneself is so important, she has achieved that. A remarkable poem.
Old Egg, Thank you so much!
A raw and forthright piece, that’s also full of hope and determination! You’ve described my childhood, and that of many others I suspect. But we are definitely better now, those of us who have chosen to be!!
Thank you for that, Kim, and for your comments on my blog today…I was in need of a kind word…:)
Lynette
Imagination Lane
Great take on “raw.” Our experiences, very similar, and so the truth rings out loud and clear in this piece, Kim. So many of us artists are products of rough backgrounds. And we come to blogs to purge, to explain, to describe the depth of pain, and hopefully to tell of our overcoming the shackles of memory. A really good piece of writing, this, and thanks. Here’s mine – what with protests and all, hard to get at the computer here in Madison:
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/raw-nerve-sunday-scribblings/
Peace, Amy
Wrote a long comment on your piece, Amy…
All families have secrets. Sometimes the women don’t know. But there are always secrets. They even have a name. Good write! Family secrets are too heavy for little girl to carry…..very far. Glad you let them lie. Maybe they were a lie?
Oh, no, Annell, they were real. Very, very real.