Divorce

I was standing there

frozen

not really all that surprised

the arguing and dissension

had been happening for months

the waves of emotion

threatened to take over

but the void of numbness

overruled

Going back in time

I can hear the faint screams

"How can you not be crying?"

my sister begged for some emotion

my twelve-year-old self knew to stay strong

I couldn't change what was happening

Bravery and strength were what we needed

Now thirty, looking back 

I see that brave little girl

she did what she knew to be best

and I love her for that

but something died inside her

the day her family fell apart

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Divorce from a child's perspective. Can be devastating. This little girl, however brave lost something when her family split up. I can understand that. Very well expressed Jessica.

Chris

[Jessica DuBose]

Thank you so much Chris!

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

Great piece... those moments that seemingly disrupt our childhood, but strengthen us for the road ahead. You've done it great justice with this piece. Great work! Looking forward to catching up on the rest of work.

[Jessica DuBose]

Thanks Travis!

[angel]

I feel for that child, remembering when I was three, my uncle trying to amuse me--he taught me to play a harmonica-- while my mama was in the lawyer's office, working on her divorce.
A happy ending for me...a few years later, my parents reconciled, remarried, and were together until Daddy died of a brain hemorrhage two years ago, when I was 63.
But that brave, stoic child...long may she live, and be proud!
Very nice work, Jessica.

[Jessica DuBose]

Thank you so much! Do you still play the harmonica?

[angel]

Yes, and the guitar, and keyboards!

[Jessica DuBose]

That's fantastic!

[angel]

I just love music. +-Nice to meet you, Jessica.

[Jessica DuBose]

I am a musician myself. Nice to meet you too.

[angel]

Oh, what do you play?

[Jessica DuBose]

Flute is my expertise but I also play guitar, saxophone, tuba, trumpet and others. My degree is actually in music ed

[angel]

I can't do wind instruments, although I did learn the recorder when my kids were in junior high. Bad lips, or something, who knows. I don't read music, but I don't feel bad. Neither could Lennon and McCartney!

[angel]

My degrees are in English and Art.

[Jessica DuBose]

That's great!

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Divorce can be wrenching when kids are involved! Offering reassurance, hope, and a sense of stability can help ease the effects of divorce on children of all ages. But there is always a sense of something lost. Your composition poetically and poignantly brings to the reader that imagery and emotion of the moment! Sad, but creative write ... well done! :-)

[Jessica DuBose]

Thank you so much! Revisiting moments of the past, I have found creatively writing to be helpful.