Reviews from

Damaged Goods

A Poem

72 total reviews 
Comment from Julie G
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This may sound ridiculous to you under the circumstances, but I never, or rarely, read or critique a poem about these cruel topics. They are so often rants, cries for help, filled with self-pity all which are very much within the right of anyone who as suffered such horrors. But they are rarely "poetic" in my opinion. Your poem is "poetic", beautiful in all its sustained ugliness and grief.

I lost my music somewhere deep
out in the forests where I'd sleep
with rabbit skin tied to my face
inside the filth of your embrace

I can't know if this poem is your personal experience and that is none of my business, so when I say I truly hope you or the person has found that the only "damaged" person in this tale is the deeply, scarred and evil soul of the man who committed these crimes. Such boundless evil should be wiped from the earth. The "little boy" should now sing to the light of the sun without fear or guilt.

Loved the poem-- I cry in sorrow for the story it tells.

Julie G

 Comment Written 26-May-2010


reply by the author on 27-Oct-2011
    Thank you Julie. I am honored.
Comment from jakable
Average
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Content was gut-wrenching. This is writing what you know best.
It touched me. Rhyming was too sing-song for my taste and I had a hard time concentrating on the message as a result.

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 25-May-2010


reply by the author on 05-Aug-2011
    Thank you.
    C
Comment from kintesiegel
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

this is a powerful and beautifully written story of horror committed on an innocent child. the beauty that the author captures in the child is exceptional counterpoint to the setting and plot.

 Comment Written 24-May-2010


reply by the author on 05-Aug-2011
    Thank you so much,
    C
Comment from mrsmajor
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level


Damaged Goods, no! Not for a moment, here you are now, writing with the depth that only a once broken heart can express.

This was a very sad piece for me, simple trying to understand the fear you must have felt, hurts me even now.

There is no explanation as to why such a thing was done to you, one can only say it was horrible.

But, from it you have gained, it took courage to express yourself in this poem, many of those who have been abused allow the act itself to control a part of their lives. I am a witness to what I say.

You have chosen to expel some of the hurt in this poem that is written so very well, now we all know of your hurt, it is no longer only yours, I feel it too, and I am proud of your ability, through your poem, to allow me to share your pain. I have shed tears for you today, how could he!

I wish God's Blessings for you always.

 Comment Written 24-May-2010


reply by the author on 27-Oct-2011
    Thank you. I am honored.
reply by mrsmajor on 27-Oct-2011
    You are very welcome!
    Blessings....
Comment from ulster3
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hey Curt.
I am amazed by your talent. These sorrowful quatrains are soooo well written. Clear but far from maudlin. This is art and for me it is hard to make art grow from absolute truth. I wish the best for you in the competition.
Fondly, and feeling priviledged to communicate with an artist of your caliber.
Rebecca

 Comment Written 23-May-2010


reply by the author on 06-Aug-2011
    Thank you Rebecca.
    C
Comment from Jean Lutz
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I cried as I read this. Had to make myself read the words in memory of all sexually abused souls. My prayer is that all could find healing. Powerful entry.

 Comment Written 23-May-2010


reply by the author on 05-Aug-2011
    Thank you so much,
    C
Comment from bkrighter
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Curt, the poems you write addressing the subject of physical, psychological and sexual abuse are songs that need to be sung, songs that however unpleasant, need to be heard. Something must be done to cause a horrified public to rise up to deal with the perpetrators. More important, though, is the point you make at the end--every effort must be made to stop such abuse because of the scars left on the souls an lives of the victims. No one should every feel that they are damaged goods.

Steve

 Comment Written 23-May-2010


reply by the author on 05-Aug-2011
    Thank you my friend,
    C
Comment from azwildrosa
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

your writing amazes me. you show great courage writing such things. you awaken feeling in me that i refuse to acknowledge or that i myself am not ready to write about and you write it so beautifully. this is a very heartbreaking poem. thank you for sharing and best of wishes to you! :)

 Comment Written 22-May-2010


reply by the author on 05-Aug-2011
    Thank you so much,
    C
Comment from geoniasha
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Curt -- It is difficult to express my thoughts about this poem. So many emotions come into play -- disgust, outrage, anger, sympathy and many more. Most of all, I guess, is 'fear'. I'm can't imagine the fear this small child must have felt, but the empathy I feel for him is overwhelming. So many children of this type of abuse grow into adults who are no more than 'damaged goods' -- unable to lead 'normal' lives because of the psychological damage they have suffered. Those who were successful in removing themselves from the immediate situation by sending their thoughts and feelings 'away' still suffer the affects that, ultimately, manifest in their personal relationships.

You have written a very poignant piece. One that grips the emotions of this reader and tears a cry from my heart. Your words bring awareness of how precious our children are and how we must be completely aware of all the people involved in their lives. Good luck in the contest. geo

 Comment Written 21-May-2010


reply by the author on 27-Oct-2011
    Thank you so very much.
Comment from bard owl
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

What a terribly sad poem. Unspeakably sad. Children should never have to endure what you describe. Only a devil would inflict such horror. The imagery in is poem is terrifyingly clear. The rhythm and rhyme are without flaw. And even though the subject matter is obscene, the fact that the mortal being has a mind to escape into reveals one of the gifts God has given us to help reconcile life and living and the will to go on. Excellent contest entry. Blessings, Linda

 Comment Written 21-May-2010


reply by the author on 05-Aug-2011
    Thank you Linda,
    C