Bless

I bless every knuckle
bloody from beating the walls
caging me,

and every splinter earned
in repurposing wreckage,
so that my children might never know

this hollowness of being
unaware of yourself in the dark.



Song Choice: Dear Theodosia from Hamilton

Liner Notes for this Groove: This poem was created for the Weekly Scribblings prompt given at Poets and Storytellers United, Forward Movement.

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36 comments:

  1. Rosemary Nissen-WadeOctober 19, 2021 at 6:57 AM

    Wonderful what we can rise to for the sake of our children. I have something of a water phobia, in that I hate getting my face splashed or putting my head under when swimming. When I took my infants for their first swimming lessons, I ducked my head under and came up smiling confidently at them, just like all the other mums. It worked; they could play happily in and under the water.

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    1. RommyOctober 20, 2021 at 8:46 AM

      I did a similar thing for my kids. LOL, I'm still not comfortable in the water, but they both know how to swim.

      Delete
  2. Debra She Who SeeksOctober 19, 2021 at 9:43 AM

    Marvelous, Rommy!

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  3. Gillena CoxOctober 20, 2021 at 3:30 AM

    Ah, we mothers, always trying to make their lives better

    much❤love

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  4. Magaly GuerreroOctober 20, 2021 at 7:43 AM

    I love the defiance, acceptance, and love spilling out of this one. It reads like a spell and a promise. Your children are very lucky.

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    1. RommyOctober 20, 2021 at 8:50 AM

      I am delighted that all that came through in a small space. Thanks!

      Delete
  5. Magical Mystical TeacherOctober 20, 2021 at 8:24 AM

    Some things are definitely not meant to be passed on to our children.

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    1. RommyOctober 20, 2021 at 8:54 AM

      Oh there are some traits that clearly pass on. But the toxic ones, yeah those can be left in the dumpster with other outdated ideas.

      Delete
  6. Ron. LavaletteOctober 20, 2021 at 8:50 AM

    clear & concise. Great stuff, Rommy. Thanks.

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  7. JimOctober 20, 2021 at 6:13 PM

    This is nice, I could substitute being alone in an elevator with a woman taller than I am. My children don't know but Mrs. Jim, short, knows. Not near the hardships of an abused wife though.
    ..

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    1. RommyOctober 24, 2021 at 6:14 PM

      I hadn't considered that interpretation of it, but yes I could see how it could apply to people in that situation.

      Delete
  8. HelenOctober 20, 2021 at 7:55 PM

    I join you in that exercise, Rommy. Short and beautifully full of incite.

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    1. HelenOctober 24, 2021 at 3:05 PM

      ~~~ might make more sense if I spelled insight correctly???

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    2. RommyOctober 24, 2021 at 6:15 PM

      LOL, no worries! I often misspell things when I'm in a rush and leave the thinking to spell check.

      Delete
  9. phillip woodruff (jalopy dreams)October 21, 2021 at 12:06 PM

    i can feel the strength in this poem, concise and powerful... you manage that power very well.

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  10. JennaOctober 21, 2021 at 1:39 PM

    So much strength in this!

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  11. J COctober 23, 2021 at 9:03 AM

    Life is a hard row to hoe, and teaching children to use the hoe correctly is the hardest. Excellent!

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    1. RommyOctober 24, 2021 at 6:16 PM

      And watching them use that hoe correctly is an amazing feeling

      Delete
  12. colleenOctober 24, 2021 at 9:19 AM

    Powerful. I am still thinking about the last line 'unaware of yourself in the dark.'

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    1. RommyOctober 24, 2021 at 6:17 PM

      I've had a few people tell me that was an intriguing line.

      Delete
  13. dsnake1October 24, 2021 at 10:33 AM

    what things mothers will do for their children!
    can feel the power and emotions in the poem.

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    1. RommyOctober 24, 2021 at 6:18 PM

      Face down all the hard truths and burn down the pretty lies, yes indeed

      Delete
  14. Khaya RonkainenOctober 24, 2021 at 1:50 PM

    I can relate how moving forward can lead to bloody knuckles. Powerful and punching poem, Rommy.

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    1. RommyOctober 24, 2021 at 6:19 PM

      Thanks Khaya. It would be a much better world if some changes didn't need to be hard fought for, but if they mean even a modicum more peace for our children's lives, then the fight was worth it.

      Delete
  15. Graham LesterOctober 24, 2021 at 2:09 PM

    Bless the injured knuckles but also give them time to rest and heal.

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    1. RommyOctober 24, 2021 at 6:19 PM

      100% agreed. Self-care is also an act of resistance.

      Delete
  16. indybevOctober 25, 2021 at 11:26 AM

    WOW! This is raw and honest. Bravi

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  17. Joel (@Stranded Tree)October 25, 2021 at 11:07 PM

    I picture the self-sacrifice, long hours, lost sleep (I could go on) that parents give so that their children could have it better than the previous generations.

    I've done all that in hopes that my boys could take care of us in our old age instead of shipping us off to the old-folk's home. Then I'm reminded of Soylent Green and I start to worry a little.

    As the bloodied knuckles tells me that you've broken free from the cage, I'd bet you'd bloody a few noses before letting your children be caged.

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  18. rudraprayagaOctober 26, 2021 at 3:10 AM

    Lovely lines. Meaningful.

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  19. Gillena CoxOctober 31, 2021 at 9:16 AM

    Happy Sunday

    Much💜love

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  20. Laura MorriganNovember 7, 2021 at 1:13 AM

    wow!

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