CHILDHOOD
Chair in the corner of the dining room,
and Daddy sitting in it, and only the orange glow from the ashes,
and gray puffs of smoke,
gave any signal of human presence.
Otherwise it was just the darkness and a chair in the corner,
otherwise it was just daddy in the dark and all alone.
I watched the firelight from the cigarette, as a child,
and wondered why the night was so black,
and why Daddy was so alone, and why voices rang out in the night.
I thought of Mama in the next room sleeping,
and I wondered why I was so small, and why Mama and Daddy never laughed.
And I felt like the night, cold,
and like Daddy,
and like Mama.
so all alone.
Copyright 2019, Jenny W. Andrews
My poetry book “Life at the End of the Rainbow” is currently available at Amazon/Kindle. I would love to hear any feedback about my poetry. Thanks.
-Jenny
Jenny Grace's Poetry and Creative Writing Techniques 
This is lovely and heartbreaking at the same time. I can see the little girl with silent tears standing in the dark. Great imagery and emotion.
LikeLike
Thank you, Scott. This is one of my earliest childhood memories. It was heartbreaking. Writing is my way of dealing with so much. I have a memoir that I am considering publishing-but I am not ready yet to do that. Thanks for your encouragement.
LikeLike
I understand. Much of my writing over the years has been my therapy. Write what you can when you can. Your stories aren’t going anywhere, so there’s no need to rush.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow, this is a heart-grabber…aches deep.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, childhood can be a very hurtful place. Thank you for reading and letting me know that my words are effective. As a poet, it is so important to get feedback.
LikeLike
You’re most welcome. And yes, comments are wonderful 🙂
LikeLike
A lonely little girl became a poet, a lovely woman.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for reading my poetry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sniffles
LikeLike
Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Emotional powerful & sad…loved it 💕💕💕
LikeLike
HI Victoria,
Thank you so much for your positive comment. I am glad to know that my poetry is effective. As a poet, I am concerned about whether my words resonate with readers. All feedback is valuable. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
interesting and many emotions rapped together. at the beginning, I sensed, but was not completely sure, that the orange glow from the ashes and gray puffs of smoke indicated cigarette, until I read how you actually watched the firelight from the cigarette; then, I said aha, I was correct but wondered why a question mark lingered a bit, earlier on
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading. The poem is from a snippet of memory I had when I was really young. Maybe three or younger. I have questioned my memory of that moment. . .but, I remember it, the sharp image. I love poetry for this reason-that memories can be captured in a few words, the sharp images that linger long after the event occurred. . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
then, you’ve had a strong memory… from my experience, many don’t remember details at such a young age, especially in a way that can be expressed in such a captivating manner
LikeLike
Thank you. Yes, those snippets of memory have stayed with me. . .Over the years I’ve written them down so that I want forget. . .especially my father and my mother. . .I have notebooks from when I was younger. Writing helps with memory. Again, thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
your welcome. it’s obvious you’ve had writing at heart from yesteryears
LikeLiked by 1 person