It’s Poetics Night at the dVerse Poets Pub. Our host tonight, Gospel Isosceles (Amaya Engleking) has asked us to “turn the pub into a psychological strip club as we bare it all.” The prompt is taboo.
McDonald’s and a movie…
On a school night?
He was my older cousin,
so it was okay but
home by 9:00pm.
An hour to kill
after the movie. I suggested
ice cream. He pulled in
to a motel parking lot instead.
Made it back by nine
without my virginity
and the ability to trust.
Anyone.
Very sad to see the loss that comes with losing one’s virginity before it is ready to be given~
Great title. This is told with a cold, dissociative voice that seems to have been given you in place of your virginity and your trust. Like, here I’m just gonna reach over and take these from you, and I’m never gonna give them back, but here is something you can have: my own inability to feel compassion for you or anyone.
We might bear this dissociation for a lifetime too, some years we’re more like ourselves and others when we’re floating away. But there is so much healing —on the planetary level too— when one repents and one forgives. I honor you for sharing.
kaykuala
Teenage innocence can go in many directions. Here it is no holds barred in narration! Somewhat similar theme to Hank’s poem.
Hank
Taboo as backdrop to the destruction of trust, one moment lingers on. Powerful poem.
Well described. I am sorry for the pain you went through. May these memories and the telling of them turn into a blessing somehow.
Sadly, this happens more often than people dare to talk about. The girl fears being blamed for getting caught in the circumstances.
What a creep… and with someone from the family I assume you had to face him over and over.
Not so much, actually. The next time I saw him I was in my mid-20s. He commented on the ‘event’ and asked if I wanted a rewind. Hah! I acted like I didn’t know what he was talking about. It galled him!
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Susan, I know it took courage to write and then share your poem. The myth that the monsters are “out there” lurking in the dark is a great cover for the real monsters that dwell in our families and circles of acquaintance. The reality of your violation and you having to keep that secret because you felt you would be blamed is maybe the worst crime of all. I’m glad he’s dead, but I’m sorry you had to bear his burden all of these years.
Ergo, the Ogre 
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