I Only Slept There

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Billy
Posts: 1384
Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 10:56

I Only Slept There

#1 Post by Billy » 28 Feb 2019, 08:03

I Only Slept There

As often as not
he'd have a toothpick
in his mouth.

Mother was always
scrubbing something.

I lived by myself
with them.

Mother the Protector.
Father the Brooding One.

A new home
every few years.
A new venture.

Hopes and promises
like the daily news then.

The shameful war
that couldn't be won
that we were winning
like dad's next million.

Mom at war with dirt.

Dad chewing toothpicks
instead of his nails.

I lived on the outskirts
of their lives, not yet
filled with terror.

SivaRamanathan
Posts: 1168
Joined: 14 May 2011, 20:30

Re: In My Room As Little As Possible

#2 Post by SivaRamanathan » 28 Feb 2019, 20:06

Lovely last line.
Is this a prose poem,Billy? It works as it is.

S

BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Re: In My Room As Little As Possible

#3 Post by BobBradshaw » 28 Feb 2019, 21:17

Good one... loved this;


I lived on the outskirts
of their lives

Kenneth2816
Posts: 1619
Joined: 01 Jun 2008, 09:17

Re: I Only Slept There

#4 Post by Kenneth2816 » 02 Mar 2019, 07:43

Strong poem Billy. Each line unfolds perfectly until the shotgun blast close

capricorn
Posts: 382
Joined: 21 Sep 2017, 23:23

Re: I Only Slept There

#5 Post by capricorn » 04 Mar 2019, 16:52

Love this poem especially the ending

I lived on the outskirts
of their lives

Eira

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Billy
Posts: 1384
Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 10:56

Re: I Only Slept There

#6 Post by Billy » 05 Mar 2019, 07:02

Thanks everyone for reading and commenting.

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