The Ghost's In The Wall


Somewhere in the mist of tree climbs,
moon dreams, and starlight wishes
sits a broken doll waiting for glue.

Ring around tears… Fear has a name…
Alone brings monsters… You’re never the same.

Hide in your pillow… The ghost’s in the wall.
Drink from Alice’s bottle until you’re so small
you’ll fit in a keyhole no key can unlock.

He is… I am… There’s no where to run.

©Susie Clevenger 2017

My path to written expression came as a result of childhood sexual abuse.

#NaPoWriMo2017

Real Toads ~ Celebrate Children's Poetry



Comments

De Jackson said…
Susie, this is haunting. I am so very sorry for the unspeakable things that happened to you. So thankful writing was a pathway to healing for you.
April 6, 2017 at 5:08 PM
Anonymous said…
I applaud your courage in writing this. The broken doll image is deeply moving.I read an interview this morning with Mary Oliver who was also sexually abused and she spoke about the difficulties of coming to terms with it.The shrinking small line speaks volumes and the last line hits like a runaway train.
Go well on your way.
April 6, 2017 at 6:19 PM
Jim said…
Oh Susie, this is so hard to read. The first time I was trying to figure out but then after coming to your comment then my second reading made me cry, inside. So crass, so terrible, I don't know a word bad enough word for it. My dad abused me physically and I have never forgiven him, not even now that he's gone. But there was nothing sexual about it. Again, I feel so badly. The poor broken doll.
..
April 6, 2017 at 11:17 PM
grapeling said…
no, there isn't. ~
April 7, 2017 at 1:39 AM
Sreeja said…
such depth and each line speaks volumes...!
April 7, 2017 at 8:39 AM
Debi Swim said…
The images are powerful, the fear and pain palpable. I'm so sorry.
April 7, 2017 at 8:43 AM
Anonymous said…
a powerful poem of childhood - of broken trust - lines crossed -
April 7, 2017 at 3:12 PM
Sanaa Rizvi said…
I am so sorry to hear that you were abused during time of childhood :( powerfully penned.
April 7, 2017 at 3:41 PM
Anonymous said…
Intriguing. You really unlocked imaginations in this one.
April 7, 2017 at 5:11 PM
Rosemary Nissen-Wade said…
Powerful indeed, and horrifying, and heart-rending. The broken doll image is haunting, and so sad. I'm sorry no-one could save you, and very glad you finally saved yourself. You probably would have come to writing anyway, you have such a talent for it. Since it was awoken this way, I'm all the more thankful you have it. And ... I think these things need to be written, for all of us to be aware.
April 7, 2017 at 7:23 PM
Stacie Eirich said…
While this is so tough to read and imagine -- it somehow is also beautiful, in both a broken and healing way. I believe this needed to be written. Thank you for participating in my prompt, and for your courage in sharing -- and writing -- and living! -Stacie
April 8, 2017 at 11:17 AM
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