Thursday, September 29, 2011

Six word Fridays: how to?

saddnessHe sits forlorne in the back
Uncomfortably shifting and wincing in pain
Silently, he bears full force anger
The wrath of father's failures attack
Pounding his ribs to reduce frustration
In that home once called sweet
He wonders if he should speak
Admit the truths of his wounds
Beyond his body, his soul suffering
Will those he confides in betray?
Told that pain was weakness revealed
And showing outward strength defines man
But the coward he calls father
Has lost that title in rage

No one else has spoken up
Each one fearing the same fury
School becomes the refuge; safe haven
He sits unfocused, pain consumes thoughts
Eyes glaze - tears forbidden their fall
Last week it was facial breakout
Before, a mishappen and overzealous workout
And now no explanation is fabricated...

Still, he sits wincing, and remembering
When parents gave hugs not hits
Missing safety, his childhood abruptly taken --
Becoming a man in vicious brutality
Defining himself by stoicly bucking up
Believing that father's striking is training
If he holds up, he's won
But what if it gets worse?
Silently suffering, he considers his options
He struggles, standing, surrenders to hurt...

How do we, his distant teachers
Draw him close, vow to protect
Provide him solace and restore trust?
We must alert the services too,
Confirming our suspicions and sounding alarm.

Seeking to help (in unfamiliar subject)
Did we inadvertently subject him to...

more?

shared with Six Word Fridays

9 comments:

Melissa said...

We do our best to help,
then pray for things to be better.

Melissa G. said...

Wow, this post made me cry! Praying for God's wisdom and strength for you!

ayala said...

Strong and important voice. Continue caring and loving and you will be the tool to a better life.

Kate said...

Stunning, important and well said.

Love and hugs to you, to all teachers and to all who suffer at the hands of those who should sooth.

Justine said...

Jumped here from Six Word Fridays and this gave me goosebumps. What an important post. I hope, with loving teachers like you, he will find a way out of this.

Brook @ To Be Dancing said...

Oh my heart is breaking for him (and you). Hopefully this turns out well.

Tricia said...

Beautifully written...it's so sad as well.

Keia said...

Sigh...Kates response sums it up.

Keia said...

AGREED.