Imagination is the key to innocence

Some kids do not have happy childhoods. Its very sad but very true. This is just a reminder that not all children get the love and attention they so desperately need.

I wasn't spoken to,

So I mustn't speak,

my opinions are not needed,

for my mind is too weak.

Just a meek child,

who knows a whole lot of nothing,

can smell sweet food,

but still hears her tummy rumbling.

On tip toes,

her eyes start to close,

and her knees might even buckle,

thinking to herself, how long has this corner justified her troubles?

But finally she is freed,

off to play now, 

imagination is the key,

it takes her from this place to a place where she should be.

The bliss of innocence doesn't last forever,

she's quickly reminded as she's pulled away from her treasures,

"Do this, do that, right now" she'd say,

"Oh it was an accident? Well it sure doesn't look that way."

And the pain would ensue but she knew it wouldn't last forever,

whipped and yelled at, using her corner for shelter,

again until her legs fell asleep, 

until she got the tap that she could finally leave.

Back to play and take her mind, 

to another place and time,

where she is loved and never left to wonder, 

but now the footsteps are hard and loud, 

and once again she's forced from her place,

with tears streaming down her face.

 

Reviews

[Dr. YumnaKay]

This kind of pain may not last forever, but it leaves an everlasting impression on the kid's mind.. They can never be the same.. And in those moments, imagination seems the only escape, to forget what really is going on..
I can relate to this feeling on a much greater level..
This was very heart-touching for me.. It gets unbearable to read things which have affected my life in this way..

[OhSnapShley]

I'm sorry you had to endure this pain. I too can relate. It may not last forever as you said but it leaves an impact on that child for the rest of their lives. Some continue the pain, while others overcome it and make sure their children never have to endure it. May you be blessed greatly for every ounce of pain you encountered as a child.

-OhSnap

[Dr. YumnaKay]

I hope so.. Thank you for the nice wishes. God bless you too..

[APOORVA]

I wasn't spoken to,
So I mustn't speak,
my opinions are not needed,
for my mind is too weak.

how true.
beautiful creation.
good luck

[OhSnapShley]

Appreciate your kind words. Thank you.

[FIN]

You capture emotion beautifully.

The story is well-written and the rhyming scheme I feel only strengthened it.

You took a harsh subject of abuse or belittling and added a hint of hope, which is the key to survival.

"Give a man "child, in this case" hope and they'll take over the world."

Nicely penned, yet again.

You take harsh subjects lay them out in a manner which depicts their true nature and have the reader look upon them and contemplate such situations.

Wonderfully captured.

Much love,

LR

[OhSnapShley]

Thank you for your kind words and this awesome review. Glad you enjoyed it, even though it is a tough subject. Sometimes those are the best one to write about because others often avoid them..
-OhSnap

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

Wow, the way you wrote this! I'm amazed you could put such things in words in such a splendid way. I've been there, my brother and I had a hard childhood too. Escapism is wonderful, as long as you keep doing it. Keep writing.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world," Albert Einstein.

Thank you for writing! :)

[OhSnapShley]

Aw, this is amazing and this is why I write. Thank you for your feedback and thoughts. They are greatly appreciated all around.

-OhSnap

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

You're most welcome :)

[Lorry]

It's hard to imagine for some that the only place a child can know love is in their own imagination, yet we see it for our very own eyes every time we open a newspaper or watch the news.
Let's hope that 2017 is a year of less tears, eh?

[OhSnapShley]

It's a tough reality. But yes I hope we all flourish positively in 2017.

[klausreed]

Imagination is the ultimate escape, to any universe, to any place. It is the real reality. Never let the physical plane dominate for you and your mind is the true art that exists. Not the coldness that is sometimes our earth, our space. One beauty shall always prevail until the other begins to see the light again. I love this poem.

[OhSnapShley]

I love the words you used to describe this. Nicely put. Thanks for the review. Glad you enjoyed.

[Njeri Brooks]

Most people don't realize it, but those first 10 years of life often determine how the kid will be as adult.

In addition to that, when a kid has to escape pain by going to deep into their imagination, they risk the chance of forming a dissociative disorder.

Overall, this poem really makes my own desire to adopt kids in the future (when I'm older) that much stronger.

[OhSnapShley]

Adoption is a great thing. It is reminders like this that children need ginuwine and helpful people. Its good to know there is someone like you out there, willing to help.
Kudos to you.

[Najam Us Saher]

Nice thought to write from a perspective of such children. Beautifully written :)

[OhSnapShley]

Thanks so much!

[Terry O'Leary]

Poignant and well done!
Terry

[OhSnapShley]

Appreciate that Terry.