Roly Poly

A poem from the voice of a battered child

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roly Polly

Roly Poly

How you

Curl-up

Into a ball

In my small

Chubby hand

In self-defense

 

How I wish

I was so

Clever,

When night

Falls and

Daddy’s

Anger

Brings

Danger

To our

Warm

And

Comfy

Home

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

Too many children are victims of domestic violence. I wrote this one night after volunteering at a children's shelter and seeing a child with a black eye.

Reviews

[Blake Q Hatfield]

I like how you bring in the child's projection imagination of how they want to be like that roly polly to escape from their abuse. It's short and to the point, perfect for a piece in the view of a child. It's a shame that such situations exist, but hopefully one day we as a human race will evolve above such brutish behavior.

[Coyote Poetry]

A poem with a strong message. Children need to celebrate life. Not be afraid of a new day. I like how you made your point with the "Roly Polly". A excellent poem.
Coyote

[Moflo]

I like the way you wrote this a lot. The adolescent point of view, making the second part seem relatively simple, really makes the poem work perfectly. I also like the way you structured it. Great job.

[Jeff Bresee]

Oh my... This is likely the most powerful and brilliant poem I have seen on this topic. The playfulness and childish innocence of a rolly-polly tied into such a sad and terrible reality.

A 10 on this one.

[Undying Glory]

very well-written here, and to me that bitter contrast between the title and the verses of this one hammered home the point. this was very good work on such a topic. good job!

[Poetic Beauty]

This is puts an adult subject into a child's point of view. Well done and I could actually picture a child saying something like this.

[OT]

so sad! and a very real issue! i like the way you've subverted a game and given it a whole new meaning!! very good!

[Tina Kline]

Very sad and you're so right. I often wonder how that can be?

[Alicia Schroeder]

That is so sad and the write is greatly expressed

[Robin]

truly sad