As My Children Watched In Horror

As My Children Watched In Horror

A Poem by Deborah Leah Krempa

A s my children watched in horror their father and step-father beat me

S o many times I can't count how often it happened over the span of both

 

M y marriages

Y ou just don't know the torture and the torment unless you've lived through it

 

C an't give you any good reason of why I stayed with such men

H ell is what they put us through time and time again

I  loved them both too much but didn't love myself enough to leave

L etting go emotionally was what I was unable to do

D rowning in the fear of the next beating I would endure

R epeat offenses against me as they abused me in front of our children

E ndangering their lives as well as my own

N o one knows the horror first-hand as well as they do

 

W aking up in the middle of the night to yelling and screaming voices

A  child's life becomes a constant nightmare

T his happened to my children and I have a hard time forgiving myself

C hildren should never be caught in the mire of

H eated arguments or be forced to endure abuse of any kind

E specially the beatings of their mother or themselves

D eprived of the innocence of youth

 

I  wish I could take it all away but I can't erase it from their memories

N ow that they have grown into adulthood I can see first-hand the damage

 

H as been done and there is no turning back

O ut of the ashes we have risen as a family

R eliving the past at times in the far reaches of our minds

R epentance of the father's comes to no avail

O nly time can heal these wounds, the scars remain

R ankling resentment, embittering the pain, as our children watched in horror 

© 2009 Deborah Leah Krempa


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It's a tragic poem, but beautifuly written. I understand these emotion, I've been a victim of related incidents, no one, and I mean, that there is no one who should suffer through beating, abuse, insultments... It is horrible, disgusting. I feel for you.

Poetrywise - it isn't the best word-painting, but it is deep, emotional, well formed, overall - well penned, this poem carries the reader away. Great job, passionate and powerful.
Thank you very much!

Posted 14 Years Ago


Such a tragic poem, true or otherwise.. such horror, such cruelty wrapped in words and - an acrostic to boot.

The 'Children' stanza should be the guide to any woman who has her children's early lives warped and manipulated by vicious 'men' - terrible.

Posted 14 Years Ago


Straight from the darkness of your heart. Very raw. Ill be thinking of this the nest time i write, or sleep, or have coffee.... It will be one to stick with me. Family is something you just have to do, you just have to learn as you go, and i have yet to begin. Thank you for sharing.

Posted 14 Years Ago


It is so sad that anyone should have to endure such horrors, and my heart goes out to both you and your dear children!!
Your write is so exlicit and filled with pain, and you have really gotten its message written in a way that one cannot forget - I know I won't!! The way you have taken the first letters to create it is skillfuly done!...a wonderful poetic form!
Blessings to you!!

Posted 14 Years Ago


Oh such sadness here.. I felt some of this growing up.. and even today around me. Society itself can be such a hard and cold place. I am sometimes over-sensitive to hear and see this play out around me.. yet it is everywhere unfortunately! So many stuggle with different abuses and life on so many levels it's frightening to watch .. yet I doubt my own judgement due to that over-sensitivity. Arguments are common in relationships.. but you are so right children should not have to be robbed of their innocence. To watch my son's eyes when we pass a home where someone is screaming at their children.. or have him question why things are in the world this way... breaks my heart! He is toughening up.. for a few years when he was small I was a little over-protective.. but today allowing him room to see the world.. he doesn't like voices being raised at all.. and life can be pain. There truly is no perfect parent out there.. and I loved the part where you stated out of the ashes you have risen a family.. gives room for hope and the future! Thank you so much for sharing! May others read this.. and think a bit about it! As parents we all need to sit back and reflect.. =)

Posted 14 Years Ago


This is deep. And i felt your words.

Posted 14 Years Ago



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Added on July 13, 2009

Author

Deborah Leah Krempa
Deborah Leah Krempa

Toledo, OH



About
I am grandmother,.. My children and my grandchildren I love them all so very much. They are my gifts from my creator, the blessings in this life. I simply adore poetry and the .. more..

Writing

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