There's still a little boy
inside me.
He hasn't died.
He's hiding.
He learned a long time ago
that love can fracture
and people can leave.
And sometimes the person
who says they love you
is the one with
the abscessed heart.
So he stopped trusting people.
I don't blame him.
I drank for years
because drinking made him quiet.
It didn't fix anything.
It just gave him
a dark place to hide.
I spent five years
in a relationship
that taught me
how much pain
two people can hand
to each other.
There were apologies
and promises.
There were nights
when neither one of us
knew how to stop.
And that little boy
kept watching.
He learned.
That's the dangerous part.
Children learn things
they shouldn't.
They learn what anger sounds like.
They learn when a walk
against the autumn sky
is better than sitting at home.
And sometimes they grow up
taking those lessons
into every room they enter.
I'm still trying
to teach that freckled dreamer
something different.
That not everybody
is coming to hurt him.
That he doesn't have to
keep his fist clenched tight.
That he can come out
of the dark.
We get older,
but we don't forget
what happened.
Hopefully we learn
to take less shit.
-
Author:
Thomas W Case (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: October 11th, 2026 08:30
- Comment from author about the poem: I'm happy to announce the release of my latest book, Searching for Nod. It is available now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Searching-Nod-Thomas-W-Case/dp/B0HLMKLS9L/ref=sr_ I post poetry readings on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ThomasWCase
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 30
- Users favorite of this poem: Teddy.15, arqios, Cheeky Missy, Tristan Robert Lange, Paul Bell
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Comments11
So very true, we all have our own stuff this year has been one of much learning for me. This one hits hard my dear Thomas. As you usually do you bring a magnificent poem to the table. 🌹
Thank you, sweet Teddy.
good write my friend
Thank you.
most welcome
Another good write Thomas that proclaims learning with time and experience to release the child. Nicely done
Thank you, my friend.
My pleasure Thomas
Well written
Hello, Thomas,
The clenched fists of youth defending the avoidable with age such situations treated like water off the proverbial duck's back. I enjoyed this poem very much, of aging and the wisdom of taking as little shit as possible. Excellent!
All the best,
Tony.
Thanks, Tony.
And sometimes that walk becomes a journey of seasons, an exile even. Most moving read, Thomas 👍🏻🙏🏻
Thanks, my friend.
Taking Less is definitely one of the main Targets in life.
Another fine Poem.
Thanks, Kevin.
My Pleasure.
I rather think this is one of those universal winners which many countless could attach themselves to, as their own cry. Beautifully rendered with excellent imagery and a haunting poignancy. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, my friend.
Oh, Thomas, as someone who's sober myself, I can relate to this on several levels. Giving up the alcohol is one thing. Dealing with everything you were trying to escape is quite another. I'm still learning, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Thank you, my friend.
Yes, kids are like sponges, everything goes in.
Some continue what they learned into their own relationships, and the cycle continues.
It's a tough one, hindsight is great. Sadly you don't get it when you're young.
So true. Thanks.
Rich in very human experience as usual, there are many touch points in your poetry which remind me of the way it was. I identify. Here:
‘There were apologies
and promises.
There were nights
when neither one of us
knew how to stop.’
A long time ago, but painful enough for a very strong memory to be provoked. Your poetry at times a therapy, Thomas.
Thanks, my friend.
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