Tender Yearnings

These tender yearnings

are born of steel where

bloodstained lacy socks were

thrown in the corner wastebasket.

Stuffed animals

with glass eyes

stared straight ahead,

afraid of what they might see.

Shadows loomed large

on the wall;

Sheer pink curtains

quivered in fear

as innocence was lost,

as trust was destroyed.

These tender yearnings

reach out for truth,

reach out for love,

with an infinite hope

of healing.

Comments: 16

Maurice K. Sep 17, 2009, 11:49am UTC

Very poignant and yet it ends with hope. Beautifully written.

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Kushal Poddar Sep 17, 2009, 11:52am UTC

The opening four lines took my breath away.

autumn’s jewelry

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Rose Hill Sep 17, 2009, 12:01pm UTC

Cheryl - I'm speechless, you've conveyed feelings and stirred up old memories. Beautifully written - a tough subject.
I give you a thousand stars!

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Alison H. Sep 17, 2009, 12:13pm UTC

Wow. Incredible poem of betrayal, loss and hope. Was it healing to have and raise children of your own? Another poem.....

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Vivian P. Sep 17, 2009, 1:33pm UTC

chilling raises the hair on the nape of my neck

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Ron B. Sep 17, 2009, 1:34pm UTC

Holy cow Cheryl. An extremely powerful and very well-written poem that paints a memorable picture. Bravo, bravo...

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MYKE D. Sep 17, 2009, 4:37pm UTC

so powerful. I am like Vivian, it raised the hair on the nape of my neck and my arms also.
what a poem. Incredible !

Myke

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Janie E. Sep 17, 2009, 5:52pm UTC

It gave me goosebumps! Great job, Cheryl!!

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Annmarie B. Sep 17, 2009, 6:28pm UTC

I lost my childhood at 3 years of age. This brought back bad memories. A 10 for you. It was like you knew my life story.

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Larry H. Sep 17, 2009, 7:39pm UTC

thanks for sharing,

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Lisa Frost Bailey Sep 17, 2009, 11:02pm UTC

Awesome write.

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lynn a. Sep 18, 2009, 1:17am UTC

Extremely effective poetry. Only a very brave soul could have written this.

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Angela A. Sep 18, 2009, 5:13pm UTC

So stirring!
Thanks for posting to my group, Anythingwriting

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Mustafa Demiri Sep 18, 2009, 11:22pm UTC

This poem paralyzes the soul with terror, and sorrow fills the heart upon reading it. That this nightmare may be experienced one single child on this world in enough to astound and infuriate anyone, but the frequentcy with which I hear stories concerning abused children is unbearable.... This country needs to get tougher on crimes against children...
I never tell my children that there is no such thing as monsters, I tell them the worst monsters look human.

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Tender Yearnings

Comments: 16

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