The Ties that Divide

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Tue, 30 Jun 2015
  • 3532 reads
10 comments
 
“Bit of a let-down, our Amy.” 
 
What they always said when they spoke of me, 
my folk what adopted me.
 
“Such a lovely baby too. How were we to know
she’d grow up this way? That first day we saw her
 with those big, brown eyes – said, ‘Choose me.’
 
How wrong could we have been? Had a chip 
on her shoulder – did our Amy.”
 
Hardly surprising – new kid on the block, and
all that jazz...small-town minds – accents to match, 
would jibe, 
 
“Where’s San Salvador, anyway?”
Far as they were concerned, it weren’t on the map.
 
I just never fitted in; the colour of my skin
 all they could see, not what was underneath. 
‘A black-sheep’ –  that  was me, clichéd or not.
 
“So, turn the other cheek,” teacher used to say
but that got slapped too. Crap advice, obviously.
 
And what of you in your warm, cosy cot –
fists tightly curled. I wonder what bricks
this frigging world will hurl your way?
 
Your tiny hand...white as a lily. And mine?
Black as coal.
 
Still, at least one consolation,
you got your father to thank
for the shade of your skin...
if he could hear you,
wherever he is.
 
Just to think – me having a white kid; you’re too young 
to understand, but one day you will.  Color’s only skin deep. 
Inside I’m white like you, through and through. But why
should that matter?  Ask society.  
 
Crazy mixed up – that’ll be me, kid. Neither one thing,
nor the other. That’s the trouble; you can’t run away
from yourself, ain’t that a fact?
 
Shooting crack is the one thing helps me escape...
but only for a bit. That’s why I’m back here...
in this god-awful place...
 
and the reason I can’t keep you, babe.                                    
‘What goes around comes around’ is what they say 
but it won’t hold true – I promise you.
 
See that clock up there...when the big hand’s on twelve
and the little hand’s on three, there’ll be here, your new folk
that's why I’m leaving you this photo to remember me by.
A certain someone loved you, very much, 
 
so when the years have flown, and you've kids
of your own they won't need a picture to remind them
of someone, used to be their mum.
 
 
 
 
 
Certificate 15
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Philosophy
Biography
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by love_writing on

This is brilliant. Authentic voice and a touching tale. Liked the format too :)

love_writing

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Many thanks, lw. Appreciated, very much.

Tina

 

Submitted by Art of the Diver on

Very moving, poignant piece Tina and hits a social nail on the head firmly... the options are limited, therefore limited will be the options! Really liked this one, thank you for sharing (+ those red boys again!)  yes

Rob

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

'Colour's only skin deep, inside I'm white like you'

Such a sad tale you tell with so many truths.

Lindy

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

My thanks to you Rob, for your, as ever, inspired thoughts, which are so very much appreciated and valued.

Tina

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

A sad tale, indeed, Lindy, and as yet, it doesn't have a happy ending.  My sincere thanks to you.

Tina

 

Submitted by celticman on

the people we leave behind is often stuck with that which is unsaid. you bring that anger and despair out very well.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

So do you, celtic.  So do you.

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Tina,

It's so heartbreaking when we're judged on; 'first impressions.' This writing brings those two words to the forefront.

A significant read, giving the reader a sense of the reality, of how the colour of your skin makes a sad difference to how your treated.

I could see the woman clearly and had a picture of her in my mind, so that's a sign of good writing.

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Hi there, Jenny.  So good to hear from you.  Many thanks for looking at this in such depth, and for sharing you thoughts...always inspired.

Hope the sun is shining on you at present...but such a scorcher it has been today, I could do with a little respite...but then, us British are never satisfied, are we?smiley

Tina