Sometimes, when you’re a kid, things don’t make sense, but you try to force them to. You pick up the scattered pieces and move forward as best you can. But the pieces that got lost along the way leave gaps that can’t be filled.
The Middle of the Story
the good days
Sometimes… it makes me cry
If I stare at the bad things
(there are so many bad things)
I begin to hate them
Life seems senseless
And I don’t understand… anything
I think it started when he left
Our mother never read to us again
She stopped in the middle of the story
And so, I did the reading
Always seeing to it
Every story had an ending
It seemed better that way
I refuse to remember the best days
There were good days, you know
But they’re gone
And… I’d rather live without them
Than long for them
I feel the same way about dreams
So I have none
Copyright © 2013 C Mashburn
Sharing this on mindlovemisery’s open prompt this afternoon. Stop by and take a look at her site!
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Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 
mindlovemisery said
Charles this is so sad and so powerful I can relate this on some level as well having grown up in an abusive/troubled home. I ended contact with my dad and its hard to think about the neutral times or the sort of good times because then I feel guilty even though I know I made the right choice to distance myself until he got himself to a healthier place which he hasn’t done. Amazing work
charlesmashburn said
I went through a similar scenario. It is indeed sad, and given the chance, I might do it differently. Too late now.
Old Grizz said
another meandering stream..Makes me want to stop, take off my shoes and wade a while.
charlesmashburn said
Don’t see why ya don’t just do that!
Sherry Mashburn said
Such a sad and hopeless tale . . . but you kept on reading!
charlesmashburn said
Yes, I did!
bmiller007 (@bmiller007) said
mmm felt piece charles….the loss of your own ending with dads leaving….and your mom as well…so you made up your own that were sometimes better….all too real…
charlesmashburn said
Mostly fictitious tale here, Brian, but some reality woven throughout. Mom was always there.
brian miller said
sorry that was me…smiles.
charlesmashburn said
I knew dat
howanxious said
Sad and beautiful.. powerful creation!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much!
Shanique said
I feel like I am saying sad too much for today. Great piece but I can’t imagine not having dreams.
charlesmashburn said
I can’t either. What would life be if not for dreams.