Survivor's Debt

The most disgusting, and subversive types of people to the human condition are those who prey on others.

candy-coated innocence
attracts the worst of things
monsters, of all foul sorts,
holding their finest cutlery
(always ready to dine)

preying on time and opportunity,
they step lightly in white shoes
wearing thin smiles over serrated grins;
politely asking shadows to keep secrets

horrid schemes pay off, unilaterally
sheep never discover the wolf on time...
purity is crush'd tween jagged teeth
leaving the wafting stench of brokenness

concrete spirits crack, but don't splinter
strength can be such a fruitful curse;
burning anguish is stuffed down, routinely
as truth sours under lame tongues

resentful animosities fester...
like maggots, poisoning bleeding hearts
that trudge through a life fractured,
baring the weighty cost of survival

Author's Note

This was intended to highlight the aftermath of abuse that many live with day to day. The abuse of children and young people happens far to often... though abuse of anyone is deplorable and should be stopped at all costs. See something, say something... many don't have a voice of their own. Please do not allow the context of this piece, or this note deter you from leaving your honest thoughts regarding its execution.

Reviews

[Louisa Chan]

Oh I really love this one Travis. It really speaks to me.
All the poignant metaphors and imageries, like "holding their finest cutlery
(always ready to dine)", "politely asking shadows to keep secrets", "concrete spirits crack", "bearing the weighty cost of survival".
A bitter survival that bears a weighty cost on the abused that is kept in secret....
You're welcome to read my "A special childhoold" and "The silenced sheep", which bear the same theme.
Your writing is very powerful!
Louisa

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Louisa for such a humbling review. I plan to visit those pieces.

[barleygirl]

My childhood was one of abuse, but the thought didn't cross my mind while reading, only when I read your authors note. Strangely, what I was thinking while reading was of the current so-called "labor shortage" which is actually millions of workers protesting by refusing to take jobs with ridiculous conditions that take advantage of low-paid workers, expecting extra hours for free, etc. Similarly, I'm reminded of how our overall income inequality situation in the USA is quite a bit like the big rich powerful predators abusing the powerless vulnerable prey (((HUGS)))

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

That's a very interesting take, one even I didn't consider till now. I'm always pleased to hear of a fresh perspective and interpretation. Thank you for that.

[lovejulez03]

It's been so long since I've been on here and I'm glad that one of the first pieces I read was yours. The last stanza was heartbreaking and beautiful. Well written. Good word choice. Well done

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

I'm glad you find yourself here as well... your thoughts are moving and appreciated. I look forward to reading your work as well, and hope you return much sooner than later.

[Einstein Noodle]

i think your poem is powerfully stated ... i like the cliche' consonance of "candy coated" ..the contrast with innocence for me is a really great opening .. its free verse but the rhythm is strong .. especially in the first two verses ... the social statement is always relevant and I couldn't agree more with your Note as well ... 'wafting stench", "jagged teeth" , "serrated grins" ...vivid imaging ..these lines i especially appreciate: "politely asking shadows to keep secrets" and "strength can be such a fruitful curse;" both very creative and describe perfectly, in my opinion, the hidden horror of such personalities the prey on others ... well done says i .. puts me in a somber and prayerful mood actually
E.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, dear friend. You thoughts are appreciated. I'm humbled you found this so affecting... I thought my less is more approach might have missed the mark just a bit, due to the subject matter, of course.

[Davidgeo]

There is no such thing as purity. That's a myth that was made up to deal with our true nature; which is not pleasant. But very, very useful.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

I believe all things have an equal opposite... I can't believe purity doesn't exist, then that would mean it's opposite has no balance. Children, and their perspective of the world, usually, when unbothered by adult influence is the brief and magical touch of purity. At least, I have to believe that to keep faith in all of this madness.

[Davidgeo]

Purity I think exists. But it has less to do with us than we would like to think. I think. Either way, I think faith is absurd. I'm not an atheist but I don't believe in any one thing.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

I agree, purity has very little to do with us... I see faith as an extension of our desires, nothing more.

[Davidgeo]

The one good thing I've learned from numbers is that they are infinite. Nothing more, nothing less... purity as we define it is probably completely irrelevant at the end of the day.

[Ruth]

I have tears in my eyes...your talent of conveying poignancy is breathtaking Travis. I can't do this poetry justice with such a few simple words but please know this - as long as souls like yourself exist, there is hope for the world in myriad ways. You speak truth and reality, I only wish those shadows would decide to scream for the sake of injustice...thank you for voicing what needs to be voiced my friend...

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

I wish those shadows could scream out as well... I thankful you found this so affecting. This topic is very personal to me and I look forward to the day where we learn to prioritize children a bit more. Thank you, for another wonderful review. Sorry I didn't see it till now.

[Chris Shaw]

A powerful write Travis, particularly the final stanza. Abuse in all its forms is sickening, but the abuse of children always hits home harder with me. Adults preying on children. Grooming them. Pretending to be their friend while all the time their evil minds and deeds are causing damage which lasts a life time. Innocence taken away which does fester and can explode. Many can't live with what has happened and many will never trust again. Then there is the abuse of the elderly and frail, sometimes by the very people caring for them, and not forgetting the abuse that goes on in the home. Women and men terrified of being harmed by their partners. In these days of lockdown it is particularly bad and it has been reported that murders of partners and children in some cases, are up. I particularly like your choice of vocab. Candy coated, serrated grins, white shoes, thin smiles, jagged teeth, wafting stench, concrete spirits, too many too mention. You have tackled this difficult subject so well, airing it as it needs to be aired and thereby showing your solidarity abd compassion for the victims. A good job done.

Chris

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

This subject also its close to home for me... as a survivor of abuse, I make it my business to speak life into intervening when possible. Many abusers operate due to this social force field we call "minding your own business." I don't subscribe to that at all, and I never will. Thank you for the endearing, and honest review.

[Chris Shaw]

I am so sorry to hear that you too are a victim of this evil. I agree with you, no sweeping under the carpet. Its rotteness should be out in the open to cause the stench that it is. Take care Travis. Good to read you.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Chris, it is always an honor.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and those who are the prey and survive have to live with that.
this is intense...and here is what it makes me wish...
you say "politely ask the shadows to keep secrets" I would love one of those secrets to be that one of those innocents was actually a monster in disguise so that it could take down some of those real monsters.
Let them be the unwitting souls that wolves gnash their teeth upon.
j.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

I wish the world worked that way, I really do. At least that way we would know that more are paying dearly for their actions. Thank you for yet another great review, Jacob. It's truly appreciated.