A Little Tart

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Mon, 10 Aug 2015
  • 14297 reads
20 comments
 
They’re at it again – upstairs...Mum
and her so-called ‘odd-job’ man;
talk about hitting someone when
they’re down... my dad, even though
he’s away with the fairies, these days; 
just spends hours, sitting in his room – 
staring into space.  The other night, 
he was convinced there was a tiger
in there; had to move all the furniture
out and back again, all by myself,
before he’d stop his yelling. Terrified,
he was.
 
Time I was gone, for a few hours at least;
Mum’ll be downstairs soon – three sheets
to the wind.  Lay into me for no reason
at all, other than I’m there.  So I beat it –
up onto the heath.  I see Sam there – him 
what says he loves me. I believe him,
like crazy, I do. Met him in the queue 
at the chippy; a bouncer at one of the pubs.
Always buying me things, like a pen...a Parker; 
top of the range, after someone at school,
nicked mine out my bag.
 
I just have to do as he tells me. C’mon love, 
Give me what I like...I’ll see you’re alright,
I promise.’ And he does.
 
It’s OK – if I shut my eyes tight...think 
of something nice...like the time he bought 
my dad a wheelchair; second-hand, but in good nick
Should have seen his face when we went to the park
to feed the ducks.  He ate most of the bread himself, 
but what the heck! And it hadn’t cost me that much
either...even though I can still feel one of them lot’s 
stubble...the wet tremble of lips...still taste them 
on mine...no matter how much I scrub and scrub...
still feel the sting of wet grass on my thighs...
 
hear them calling me ‘a little tart’.  Not Sam, 
you understand, because, as I say, he loves me,
he does. No – only one of his so-called mates, 
and at the end of the day, I guess,
that’s what I am.
Certificate 15
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Unclassified

Comments

Submitted by scratch on

This piece changes gear nicely in the middle of the second stanza as I was hoping it would.  A prose poem really well executed, Tina.  Well done.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Such a reward, your words, scratch, and I thank you for them. 

Tina

 

Submitted by 60units on

I liked this a lot. The voice of your narrator was well-expressed. I felt like I could hear her speaking as I read. Your diction is absolutely on point and the content of the story gave me a window into her world.

 

If I were to offer a tip, it would be to play with the punctuation a bit. There were points where it felt a little choppy. In some places, it made the voice sound more authentic. In other places, I felt it may have hurt the flow of the piece. 

 

Thank you for sharing this with us! I hope you continue to submit your writing.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Couldn't agree with you more as regards the punctuation. It jarred with me, too, in places.   I do need to look it, and thanks for making me even more determined so to do.  As a writer yourself though, you will understand that all consuming need to commit a newly sprung inspiration to pen and paper (metaphorically speaking) which overrules all else. OK, so it's a lame excuse, but, honestly, it does happen to be the truth...hand on heart.

Indebted to you for your honest, and encouraging commentssmiley

Tina

 

Submitted by hudsonmoon on

I bow to your awesomeness, Tina. Winderful.

Rich

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

...and I love your 'awesomeness' too, Richsmiley

Tina

 

Submitted by VeraClark on

This is a grim reality told in such a charming, authentic voice.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Heartfelt thanks, Vera...especially as I was hesitant to post this.  Your thoughts are more than valued.

Tina

 

Submitted by Bee on

Like the way you have shown her ability of necessity to shut herself off. The voice got me.

Bee

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

And many thanks to you, too, Bee, for all the above reasons, and more.

Tina

 

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

The title and the picture you chose so much at odds with the content of the poem but it  adds to its poignancy.

I am sure that there are many young girls in such a situation, trapped by their needs.

A well written thought provoking piece.

Lindy

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

So pleased you popped by, Lindy.  Interesting that you mentioned 'many young girls in such a situation', as I was moved to write this piece by an item on yesterday's BBC news programme, regarding ''grooming' of countless  youngsters, boys as well as girls,  in Rotherham, Bedford, etc. etc. ...many of whom, even when they contact the authorities, fail to get the help they need.  Such, unfortunately, is the 'nature of the beast'.  

Many thanks for sharing your thoughts. Inspired, as ever.

Tina

 

Submitted by VeraClark on

Have just, finally, finished reading the Independent Inquiry in to the Rotherham abuse. Sick-making.

 

Submitted by scratch on

I bet that was a little lite reading then, Vera sad

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

This is horrible to read, Tina! but I guess you feel able to give voice to the pressures and 'logic' that slide/push into these situations. What I felt you brought out strongly (and I think I have read something similar from you once before) was how society has weakened the encouragement on parenthood of its responsibility to both protect and guide (especially girls) and give a real knowledge of and respect for the moral law foundation to be happy and kind (especially boys). Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Hello there, Rhiannon.  Yes, this is certainly not a pleasant poem to read, nor, indeed to write, but I was moved, so to do, by an item on the news a couple of mornings ago, which was all to do with the child/sex scandal in Rotherham (and most any other big city). A high proportion of these children, both boys and girls, do not realise what is happening to you them, once they start to be manipulated to feed the sex trade, and even when they do report the gang-masters, the children themselves are often told that it has been their own fault, in one way or another. This is a terrible state of affairs, and I just wanted to try and give some of those kids a voice, that just might be heard. My thanks to you, Rhiannon, for reading, and for sharing your wise words.

Tina

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

A clever piece of writing Tina, that tells of a seedier side of life. You grasp the reality in the voice really well, when she describes how she feels about her situation.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, Jenny, so very much.  I'm pleased you got something from this, and took the trouble to tell me.  Have a sunny Wednesdaysmiley

Tina

 

Submitted by Denzella on

This is a  gritty poem that shows the stark reality of life for some children.   Not your usual kind of subject but interesting because with this one you are giving us a window on an alien world, unlike with your nature poems where you let us share your view of the world.  Thought you did a good job with it too.

Moya

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, so much, Moya, for taking time out to read this.  Not an enjoyable one to write, or read, for that matter, but as you say, the contents therein are 'a stark reality of life' for lots of kids.  

Tina