Comment from LIJ Red

Excellent

Remember the bell curve, nature's favorite. A few bad, a few good, a lot of lukewarm in the middle. I prefer metered and rhymed poetry, Excellent post.

 Comment Written 10-Feb-2018

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reply by the author on 11-Feb-2018

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed.

Comment from hvysmker

Exceptional

Bad Karma, Cindy, though not unusual for young marriages.

I've never been married, avoided it like a plague. I had a poor father, not interested in children. I grew up the same in that respect, realizing at an early age that I wasn't marriage material. About the worst fate I can think of is to be saddled with kids for 18+ years. I realized that I'd end up paying child support and maybe alimony, so I've stayed single. Sometimes it's been hard.

So there's more than one side to that issue.

Charlie

 Comment Written 24-Sep-2017

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reply by the author on 26-Sep-2017

I wish more guys would own it and do something about it if they don't want to be husbands or fathers. There's nothing wrong with that. They just can't have it both ways. Bad kharma? I'm not the reason he was arrested. I was totally in the dark. And I never got a dime in child support. Thanks for the six!

reply by hvysmker on 26-Sep-2017

You probably know by now that I prefer prostitutes as lovers. Early marriage and divorce has forced many of them into the profession. Typically, they have a bad childhood, maybe molested by family or friends. Then comes a lack of self-esteem and they marry the first man who asks them, followed by kids and a divorce -- or the man simply leaves.

Under those conditions it's easy to turn to prostitution. That life is hard, though it does support them. Many lovers but no love drives them to pimps.

Now, I've known some good pimps, but many more are bad "ME" people that take advantage of them.

Life with a good pimp can make their lives easier, taking away a lot of difficult decisions, giving love in return and a measure of protection. Maybe more importantly, it gives them discipline and increases their self-respect. Sort of a small community setting.

Making it alone as a prostitute can be very hard. It may seem easy but isn't. It means financial and legal problems, changing locations often for legal or illegal reasons. If you're sick or in jail, who takes care of you or your kids? It also means becoming a bitter loner.

A good pimp looks out for his girls, not letting them become chemically dependent, something a loner almost invariably embraces.

Off subject, I know, but a story I used to hear often.

Charlie

Comment from Mara Coy

Excellent

Personal stories are always the hardest to write, but hard in the way that we don't want to be judge, or that people feel sorry for us. I really admire those who can, there is a beauty in their strength. A poem has to be written from the soul but intellectually conceived, you did excellently.

 Comment Written 17-Sep-2017

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reply by the author on 19-Sep-2017

Thanks. This was a hard one to write. Glad you liked it.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Well done sharing such a hard thing. I like how you give us the perspective compared to other friends' complaints when you've been through such "hell" but bless you for overcoming and becoming "strong and capable" and able to share your story.

 Comment Written 26-Aug-2017

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reply by the author on 27-Aug-2017

Thanks. I try to keep my mouth shut when other people complain. Their heartbreak is real and I don't need to trump it. I remember a few heartbreaks as a teenager. I thought I was going to die. Still, not being able to get rid of a bad one is much worse.

Comment from robyn corum

Excellent

Cindy,

It's a brave thing to write something like this and let others peek in on a difficult time in your life. It's a powerful moment and shows your growth. Yay for you!

Though you don't actually share what the issues were or why he was arrested, it does seem like life was difficult for you and your children during these hard times. I'm so glad that something happened to break the cycle and get him out of there. Life is a learning process. Good for you!

Thanks!

 Comment Written 13-Aug-2017

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reply by the author on 13-Aug-2017

Thanks. I'm glad he was arrested too. I don't want to publish his name or any details because it would embarass other family members who don't deserve it. It turned out to be the best thing that could have happened for me.

Comment from Joan E.

Excellent

I applaud your courage to write candidly about your experience. I hope doing so helped to purge some of the disappointment. I admired your rhymed couplets in these quatrains and am glad you ended on a hopeful note about being "strong and capable". Warm regards- Joan

 Comment Written 05-Aug-2017

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reply by the author on 05-Aug-2017

Thanks. Yes, I think writing about it helped. In a way I was lucky. His arrest gave me a chance for a new start without fear of him running off with the kids.

Comment from kathleenspalding

Excellent

Whew! Good for you, getting yourself back on your feet and 'getting things done'! Excellent poem flows well and tells an intense and understandable story. Great job!

 Comment Written 03-Aug-2017

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reply by the author on 04-Aug-2017

Thanks. I was surprised by the number of people who identified with this poem. Seems it happens all too often.

reply by kathleenspalding on 04-Aug-2017

You're welcome. I bet! You're right, it definitely does happen way too often.
All the best,
Kathy

Comment from AngelsDemons

Exceptional

Thank you for sharing this very personal story. It is so well written as a poem, the flow is beautiful. This is a story I'm sure so many can relate to. I'm so glad you broke free and are living a better life.

 Comment Written 25-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 25-Jul-2017

Thanks for the six! You're right, Im hearing from so many people who have been through something similar. Life is much better now.

Comment from Rasmine

Excellent

Good poem. I don't see any cause for correction.

My favorite stanzas were the relief ones:
Ten years of my life I live in something like Hell
Till one morning the police arrive ringing the bell.
Terror competes with relief as they take him away
And I'm left throwing up the rest of the day.
I must pull it together, some semblance of cool
Before my kids come home from school
I struggle for something profound to say
To convince myself and my kids we'll all be okay.

 Comment Written 25-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 25-Jul-2017

Thanks. I'm so glad you liked it.

Comment from SarahPenn1

Excellent

Well done for having the courage to share this, I realise it must have taken a lot
Beautiful. Encapsulates loss, love, and being broken
Thank you for sharing

 Comment Written 25-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 25-Jul-2017

Thanks. Yes, it was tough to write, but it was worth it.