Being a Child in Haiti

Reflecting my childhood and how it felt for the ground to fall from beneath my feet.

As a child, I knew more than I do now.

I learned the meaning of bravery,

hunger, heat and hatred, the taste of

salt on a dry tongue. I learned how

lips learn new words at the price of old.

Bowing and lifting to discover new knowledge

unable to remember what came before.

I remember love for my mother

burnt into my skin. My father’s back

strong against the weight he felt should

rest on his shoulders. His voice loud and

echoing in cement halls, dark hands raising,

undulating tongues and quivering arms.

The tide makes your skin tighten,

grip your bones and seep into your muscles.

We pulsed with life, traces of sweat and sorrow

mingling in the touch of the little man’s hand

holding mine when we walked through dust

rising from my footsteps, still embedded in my calves.

I remember longing to belong

to what could only

f

a

 l

  l

   a

    p

     a

      r

       t

         .

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Exquisite, vivid details are what make a piece sing, as this one does. I like your clear straightforward message, the way your lines flow smoothly, & interesting word choices. I'm not crazy about the final "fall" however . . . we don't really know what that means . . .

[CourtniRenee]

Thank you for your review. The final line is more of a personal note and is something I should probably remove but I just can't seem to bring myself too. A couple years after I left Haiti there was a massive earthquake that struck the island. It was a terrible disaster that caused massive causalities and loss for the people of Haiti and the final line is a veiled reference to the quake. I know it seems a bit out of place, but I can't seem to remove it.

[barleygirl]

I think this elusive reference to the well-known Haitian earthquake disaster is fine, but maybe just a little explanation in the author's notes would help?!?!? Either way, some mystery is always good becuz the reader can insert their own interpretation, even if you decide not to explain.

[CourtniRenee]

That's a good thought! It will probably take me a week and a half to figure out how to word it, but I'll add something to the author's note.

[Lyn Anderson]

I am so glad you stopped by my page. Had you not, I might never have stumbled across your very beautiful poems. This one conjures the images of a difficult childhood, in a difficult place, but without the bitter, only the longing ... outstanding, truly ...

[CourtniRenee]

Thank you very much. As a child I lived for several years on the island of Haiti. A lot of my writing is inspired by what I remember from those years.

[-]

Very descriptive piece. You had me imagining everything. Great piece. N.

[CourtniRenee]

Thank you very much for taking the time to comment and review! I really appreciate it!