I Know What It's Like

[Cindy]

I know what it's like
I know what it's like when your world comes apart
I know what it's like when your child
Too old to be mothered, falls
When he or she pokes a hole in the fabric of life
Or just slices it wide open

Suddenly, there's a sharp breath of air on the skin
And you realize you're stark naked
Your parental shortcomings exposed for all to see

Like a sudden violent stab to the chest
And your heart slips right out
Hitting the frigid floor
A sight so horrific
You avert your eyes to catch your breath
Searching for the strength to pick it back up again

I know what it's like to fumble with the needle and thread
I know what it's like trying to mend the tear
Not having a patch big enough to cover the hole
Knowing it'll never look the same again

I know what it's like to feel like a bunch of loose ends
I know what it's like to not see the ground beneath your feet
I know what it's like to be tossed in that sea

Yes, I know
And I am so...
So sorry...
This happened to you.

[Stella]

Cindy, many people would be soothed by these words, especially mothers who give their all only to then be rejected , and no amount of healing the rift can be found .
To meet someone else who understands must be so wonderful..

[Nightmute]

Your words encompass well that pain we, as parents, feel when an older child of ours suffers through misfortunes and the like. We want the best for our children, but the choices now are up to them on what it is they do in life, Ma'am.

[apoetwholovestosing]

A fine verse! Somehow parents never live up to the expectation of children. So often we hold on to them too long, believing they "need" us for more than our purse strings. Cindy, you've said it all so well!
Dorothy
Singing Still

[Tom Balch]

A powerful piece on the sad and real facts that parents have to face, Cindy. Well done.

[Joseph Anderson]

Cindy-a straightforward, lay it on the line write. Having travelled on that route,I feel your pain. Let us hope for a better tomorrow. Excellant write

[Sandra Martyres]

Cindy this poem will resonate well with many parents who have suffered with difficult children! Very well written with so much empathy..

[ken.brandli]

Cindy, you express so well every parent's experience when they have that moment where their control/belief in themselves as a parent is gone. It is one of the scariest things in life. Your understanding of that terror, and empathy are beautifully expressed in this poem.

[Seema Chowdhury]

well I guess we all have bad days and go through hard phases of life.