The moments like this are like balloons in the heart. Beautifully buoyant. This is what life should look like as a child…

I really am touched by this, probably because your childhood sounds a bit like my own. How marvelous it would be if we could all be born into solid, loving families, but alas–not in this world does it happen. Still, despite the lousy hand that life often deals, beautiful flowers may bloom from the poorest soil. I played in leaves, too… and mud puddles.

It’s a heart tugging piece, the harsh realities of the world where adults strip away the innocence of the young.
Thank you for sharing.

Thanks Wally.

I like the breaks of “and yet” This is great theme for this month, I enjoyed this.

Thanks, Fia. I am so glad you like the line breaks. I feel that, with certain writes, visual presentation can be important to how the piece is perceived. This is one of those.

I caught the curse vibe in this.
It slowly built up like a possession of his mind and actions
Until it turned into an obsession. I enjoyed devotion in this.

This is a right good salty tale, especially so since it comes from an Air Force dude. (Makes me a bit jealous, it does) Never see the shore again? I know the feeling, but here’s a tip–if you look to that fluid horizon at night, you will often see tiny lights.

I’m big on the closing lines of a poem. What an impact they make. It’s the impression your reader walks away with, that stays in your head like a song you can’t shake. The lost loves and the unrequited loves are always on my hit list. You nailed this one, Damian…so good!

This was hidden? Man, this was screaming to be let out. “No winners because the race was fixed.” Yup.
This is a great piece, cuz

The last stanza is a real ass kicker! The rhyme scheme is cool too. It’s obvious that you care about your results. It shows in your craftings. This is thought provoking, but not heavy. Well done Damian.

I too enjoyed the rhyme scheme. Everyone can relate to this. We’ve all been there.
When you both know it was over a few months back!
Great write amigo!

wow dearest Damian so much power and passion in this I am floored ❤️great write…

Now aint that the truth so bloomin well poemed .. Say it like it is why don’tcha eh .. Great ink Damian & subsequently awarded Nev’s dubble 👍👍

This is dark, deep, and brilliant, Damian. I’m glad you dug it out of the vault! The honesty in this poem is cutting, and the final lines–“instead of owning we rented / while love got strangled” –are a phenomenal, memorable finish. A wicked good read.

“another moment dies”

That’s the thing people lose sight of. Once the moment is gone…it’s gone. What we make of it bears a lot of weight. I’d rather carry honest weight than the baggage of pretense. I’m glad you found this one. It needed to breathe, my friend

Damian, great rhyme and flow while delivering a strong message.
Excellent work sir.

Hard hitting piece. So true my friend. kick-ass write Damian.