Four Years Old
The End of Innocence124 total reviews
Comment from bkrighter
Curt, this is an extremely unpleasant poem, but one that needed to be written and needs to be read, read aloud from every street corner and every pulpit.
Beyond the revulsion, though, the first thing I think of is whether I have ever been in a position where I should have known that something even remotely like what you describe was occurring and allowed myself to remain ignorant of it. May God have mercy on me if I have, and if I am ever in that position, may He help to guarantee that the child is protected, brought to a place of safety and healing, and work to the end of my strength to see that the perpetrator face the greatest degree of justice this world offers while I pray for its completion in the next.
While at Mass this morning, I will pray for these children. God can do what I cannot.
Steve
p.s., The poem as poem, is very good, but that hardly seems important
reply by the author on 21-Mar-2010
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Curt, this is an extremely unpleasant poem, but one that needed to be written and needs to be read, read aloud from every street corner and every pulpit.
Beyond the revulsion, though, the first thing I think of is whether I have ever been in a position where I should have known that something even remotely like what you describe was occurring and allowed myself to remain ignorant of it. May God have mercy on me if I have, and if I am ever in that position, may He help to guarantee that the child is protected, brought to a place of safety and healing, and work to the end of my strength to see that the perpetrator face the greatest degree of justice this world offers while I pray for its completion in the next.
While at Mass this morning, I will pray for these children. God can do what I cannot.
Steve
p.s., The poem as poem, is very good, but that hardly seems important
Comment Written 21-Mar-2010
reply by the author on 21-Mar-2010
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Steve,
I am honored by your rating, but even more so by your comments. Your sincere thoughts touch me deeply, and I thank you for your prayers for the children of abuse.
Blessings,
Curt
Comment from sparky123
Hi Curt,this certainly well deserves a 6 star rating. I work with people who have had experiences such as these as children. I think that you have explained the feelings, which continue with them into adulthood and the shattered lives it can cause exceptionaly well. I am bookcasing this. Goodluck for the contest (what 'contest'!)
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2010
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Hi Curt,this certainly well deserves a 6 star rating. I work with people who have had experiences such as these as children. I think that you have explained the feelings, which continue with them into adulthood and the shattered lives it can cause exceptionaly well. I am bookcasing this. Goodluck for the contest (what 'contest'!)
Comment Written 20-Mar-2010
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2010
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Thank you Sparky,
I am honored by your rating, and more so by your comments. This was not an easy write for me, and I feel there is more to come in the future, but I must not overload my mind with too many of these images and feelings at once.
Again, thank you so very much,
Curt
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I agree,overloading doesn't help. Offloading gradually by writing can be very beneficial. All the best. Sue
Comment from Realist101
Hi there Curt, I am updating this review! Again, I forgot the stars, so now, a heartfelt congratulations on this poem of the month win!! VERY deserving my friend! You have not only talent, but the courage to write from the bottom of your heart! And you were a cute littl boy too! Susan
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2010
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Hi there Curt, I am updating this review! Again, I forgot the stars, so now, a heartfelt congratulations on this poem of the month win!! VERY deserving my friend! You have not only talent, but the courage to write from the bottom of your heart! And you were a cute littl boy too! Susan
Comment Written 19-Mar-2010
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2010
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Thanks Susan,
It wasn't an easy write, and there is more to come, but I need to let it rest for awhile or else I get too depressed.
Your thoughts are always apreciated my friend,
Curt
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I sure feel for you Curt. I wish it were easy to get over things. I am adopted, and there is a hole in my heart not knowing my real parents. It is strange, and hard to describe...ps...smile for me, this is my unwelcomed b-day!! :)
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Aw,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! :-}
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Thank you, it sure is not welcome, but what is the alternaive?? Today is supposed to be warm, almost 70 degrees, so I will look at that as a nice gift! Usually it is cold and rainy! :) Hope you have a good day too! S.
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Age is a state of mind. Hell, I'm just a big grey haired kid!
Comment from jshep
Talk about laying it on the lines, Curt. The raw emotion is exploding from your poem, a poem that is gut wrenching in the fact of its truth. A powerful work, which I am sure was not easy to write. Flawless in rhyme and flow and message that needs to be shouted for those cries that are never heard. Congratulations on your nomination. Joyce
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2010
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Talk about laying it on the lines, Curt. The raw emotion is exploding from your poem, a poem that is gut wrenching in the fact of its truth. A powerful work, which I am sure was not easy to write. Flawless in rhyme and flow and message that needs to be shouted for those cries that are never heard. Congratulations on your nomination. Joyce
Comment Written 17-Mar-2010
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2010
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Thank you Joyce,
This poem was by no means easy to write, in that you are quite correct. I have written others in the same genre, but as of yet have not found the courage to post simply because of the graphic nature of them. People begin to label you after awhile, and I despise labels. I usually try to temper my works, alternating between humor and despair, but lately the despair seems to be winning. I do hope that my humor returns soon, I miss it.
Thank you once again for your thoughts Joyce, I truly do appreciate everything you have said.
Curt
Comment from Connie P
Oh my goodness, I was doing my duty, voting in the contests and came across your entry. I have rarely if ever read such an impacting work. I pray to God that this is not biographical but nonetheless, it is a masterpiece, even though I could shoot the bastard portrayed here.
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2010
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Oh my goodness, I was doing my duty, voting in the contests and came across your entry. I have rarely if ever read such an impacting work. I pray to God that this is not biographical but nonetheless, it is a masterpiece, even though I could shoot the bastard portrayed here.
Comment Written 17-Mar-2010
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2010
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Thank you for your thoughts Connie,
This was an especially painful thing to express, but I know it had to be done, if not for me, then for all those who have no voice.
I truly appreciate your comments.
Curt
Comment from Xylok
good for you for spinning it for the betterment of humanity, and for the well-being of those in similar situations. personally, i just got over it when it happened to me, which it did, extensively, because i never asked for it to happen and therefore saw no point in feeling bad for anything i had done, but then i get that its not that easy all the time, and certainly it didn't make the next time any more pleasant, but suicide's the other option and that's a bit weak, isn't it? better to endure all the wonders your describe in this poem than to snuff the life from the four year old. quality of life is irrelevant to me, life matters regardless of it. your cadence is impeccable, your ability to evoke empathy is from what i can tell unparalleled on this site as far as the darker poems go, and you clearly have profound insight into what its like not only to be a child, but to be a controller, not that you necessarily control or whatever, but you get what it means to have that control, and you see the depths of the responsibility attached to it, as well as the end consequences, and it makes this poem pretty darned awesome...awareness is a good thing.
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2010
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good for you for spinning it for the betterment of humanity, and for the well-being of those in similar situations. personally, i just got over it when it happened to me, which it did, extensively, because i never asked for it to happen and therefore saw no point in feeling bad for anything i had done, but then i get that its not that easy all the time, and certainly it didn't make the next time any more pleasant, but suicide's the other option and that's a bit weak, isn't it? better to endure all the wonders your describe in this poem than to snuff the life from the four year old. quality of life is irrelevant to me, life matters regardless of it. your cadence is impeccable, your ability to evoke empathy is from what i can tell unparalleled on this site as far as the darker poems go, and you clearly have profound insight into what its like not only to be a child, but to be a controller, not that you necessarily control or whatever, but you get what it means to have that control, and you see the depths of the responsibility attached to it, as well as the end consequences, and it makes this poem pretty darned awesome...awareness is a good thing.
Comment Written 17-Mar-2010
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2010
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From one who knows to another,
I thank you. I agree that suicide has never been an option for me, I feel that I am alive for a reason, whatever that may be, and that when it is my time, I will hopefully be ready for it. As for the quality vs. quantity of life, personally I would rather have a short and happy life than a long and painful one, but we don't have a lot of choice in the happenings, just how we deal with them. The sun will come up tomorrow whether I like it or not, so why not like it?
Thanks again my friend,
Curt
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good points, both directions, the short and happy has its merits doesn't it? as the long and painful ones do too. mad skillz though man...poet fo sho!
Comment from jason456
Oh My God, what a horrible, horrible thing for any child to endure. It seems as if we hear this type thing more and more these days. I hope your Uncle died a horrible and slow death. I'm sure it took great strength for you to write this. Great Job! Patti :)
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2010
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Oh My God, what a horrible, horrible thing for any child to endure. It seems as if we hear this type thing more and more these days. I hope your Uncle died a horrible and slow death. I'm sure it took great strength for you to write this. Great Job! Patti :)
Comment Written 17-Mar-2010
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2010
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Thank you Patti,
I think more people are coming out to speak on this subject because it needs to be out in the light where it can be dealt with. Too many souls are literally destroyed by this type of abuse to keep it in the dark any longer.
Thank you my friend, your thoughts are most welcome,
Curt
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Curt, it truly was my pleasure. Patti :)
Comment from IndianaIrish
I reviewed this yesterday but inadvertently forgot to save. Powerful poem, Curt. The pain, horror, shame, and guilt is easily felt by any reader. Still deserves a six.
Indy
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2010
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I reviewed this yesterday but inadvertently forgot to save. Powerful poem, Curt. The pain, horror, shame, and guilt is easily felt by any reader. Still deserves a six.
Indy
Comment Written 11-Mar-2010
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2010
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Please forgive me for the cut and paste reply, but personal issues have taken precedence.
I do want you to know how much I appreciate your thoughts and thank you for your comments and time.
Most sincerely,
Curt
Comment from vickib
I'm thinking this took a lot of guts to write. I don't know what prompted you to, but knowing my grandaughter at 4, she surely, would remember something like this. It would damage her, unless strong willed and wise beyond the years and tuff enough to move on. Other than that, I'm speechless after being very sad at the thought this could happen anywhere...oh, though, can you talk to me about meter or something in this so I can learn? This was a hard review for me.
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2010
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I'm thinking this took a lot of guts to write. I don't know what prompted you to, but knowing my grandaughter at 4, she surely, would remember something like this. It would damage her, unless strong willed and wise beyond the years and tuff enough to move on. Other than that, I'm speechless after being very sad at the thought this could happen anywhere...oh, though, can you talk to me about meter or something in this so I can learn? This was a hard review for me.
Comment Written 01-Mar-2010
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2010
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Reply via PM.
Thank you, I am honored.
Curt
Comment from becky7777
this poem is so awful but the worst part is the truth that is in your poem. excellent write on a subject that needs to come to an end forever
Becky
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2010
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this poem is so awful but the worst part is the truth that is in your poem. excellent write on a subject that needs to come to an end forever
Becky
Comment Written 01-Mar-2010
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2010
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Thanks Becky!
Your thoughts are most welcome!
Curt
