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Saturday, November 30, 2019

Heading Out


In this kitchen,
they didn't cook up
many dreams.
Bottomless rye and Cokes
but not many meals.

In this kitchen,
I closed off
my heart
from my father.

In this kitchen,
I practiced numbness
as a means of survival.

In this kitchen
my heart felt as cold
as the stove
and the unheated walls.

When my dad died
and we moved out,
I pointed my nose firmly
in the direction of hope
on the map of 
Heading Out.


for Carrie's Sunday Muse. I remember that four room hovel, where the only heat was from the oil stove, and where some of the worst scenes from my childhood played out.


7 comments:

  1. They say that such a beginning either creates a very cruel or very kind adult. Either way, it changes us.

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  2. I cannot imagine growing up like that... my father had many faults.. but nothing like this...

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  3. Your past has made you into a compassionate and caring person. I know it was hard for you, those endless rye and cokes. But I am thankful you turned into the person you are today.

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  4. Escaping a hard childhood eh Sherry? The image plays well into that interpretation.

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  5. Sad memories of an unhappy childhood are so hard to erase . .

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  6. Incredibly revealing, strong, brave, YOU! Hope you got a bit of that sunshine.

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  7. Sometimes it is best to head out and leave the past behind. You did that well, my friend. You are a survivor. I think oftentimes what you might have done if you had been allowed more opportunity to thrive and make use of your abundant abilities.

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