Inside the Rage

Cherry

By Richard L. Provencher

Thu, 16 Jan 2014
  • 1263 reads
6 comments
 

I heard the liquor on his breath

him stumbling into the door

key scratching the wood

cursing painting the doorway

opening and falling down

must be three times before he makes

it to our rooms us kids cowering

dad’s home again

tip-toes reaching for our hi dad

but pretend we’re asleep

who wants to be happy when

he is on the loose

back from another taverne fling

pay-cheque probably

sucked up and the food

bin empty in our apt at the same time

we know screaming will start

and begins with thump-a- thump

down the hall mom coming like a run-

away train knowing they won’t hit

with fists or boots or sticks

just two tongues and so afraid

no one will be up to make us kids

breakfast in the morning.

 

 

Certificate PG
Poem
Poetry - For All Reasons
Miscellaneous

Comments

Submitted by VeraClark on

Gutting and raw. Richard, what a frankly conveyed norm of emotional abuse and neglect.

 

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on

Thank you, Vera. I discover in my later years, feelings and memories creeping from beneath the bed. Also decided there is room to breathe the atmosphere for, as you say, "gutting and raw." I also find that too many use their past to whine and whimper about how hard it was to overcome, and it is, it took me forty years to forgive dad, and discovered I still love him, and thankfully it was done four years before he passed on. 

Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by Mark Heathcote on

Sadly a story that takes place all over... good write!

Mark Heathcote

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on

Thank you, Mark, for your nice comment. So much to write about, eh?

Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by hoalarg1 on

Congrats on the cherries, Richard. I liked the rhythm to this one as it fits so readily with the moment. The content was disturbing of course but you conveyed the feelings exellently. I felt like I was one of the children cowering in the dark. Adam

 

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on

Thank you Adam. And thank you too, ABC team for the cherries. It seems each generation goes through some serious turmoil. My generation had to deal with our dads (imagine, women were not allowed to be in combat in WW 11) coming home, changed, like zombies at times, dysfunctional and unable to hold a job, using alcohol as a medecine, conntinuously. And if you moved to a smaller centre like my dad did, there was NOTHING to help folks like him.

Now I grieve for this generation of young folks who have so many strange issues to deal with. ie drugs, homosexuality, and the very difficult transgenering and total physio makeover. Our dear friends have a son who at the age of 30 is being transformed into a girl. The turmoil in the family---two boys, one straight and one determined to change, and mom and dad is heart rendering. H. must adjust to all the hormone treatments these past few years, and continual shaving his very hairy legs and adjusting to a lady's name and venturing into the public eye is bewieldering to me. In our province, Nova Scotia, all expenses of about $30,000 is totally covered by the government, ie the taxpayers. 

What I do not agree with is that re abortion, we have checks and balances, with various services to discuss the issue with prior to making a decision to abort---In Canada there are 95,000 per year, five million Canadians since this whole structure began. Then there are those who complain about all the immigrants we accept---well we need them more than ever.

In the case of our dear friend's son, (we watched him grow up since he was 11), there is no review process or opportuntity (other than parents and friends) to review whether one should change so dramatically. I don't know what led me into this bunny trail, but it is a serious issue which the community has to address more and more these days. May this day be precious to you, Adam. PS. For those who may ask---what do I know about any of this---well I have a son, who at 18, 30 years ago declared he was not straight. We do know all about it, and pray for those families, for understanding, with children who are seriously considering life-changes.

 

Richard L. Provencher