Stricken | Teen Ink

Stricken

July 19, 2011
By Emily.L GOLD, Gilbert, Arizona
Emily.L GOLD, Gilbert, Arizona
10 articles 12 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Sometimes, we just have to be happy with what people can offer us. Even if it's not what we want, at least it's something. " -Sarah Dessen


Strike one.
The light in the child's eyes
Diminished to a dull glow.
His rosy cheeks, streaked with tears,
Are two shades brighter than before.
"Stop that crying, boy,"
Yells a man he once called Dad.

Strike two.
A cry escapes the boy's throat
As old bruises get darker.
He closes his eyes and prays,
Wishing for a life of laughter.
"Help me, Mommy."
She's smiling with her arm raised.

Strike three.
They called him a bad child,
But he did everything they asked.
Betrayal stole his childhood.
"You know what they say,"
Youth whispers to him.
"Three strikes and you're out."


The author's comments:
This was inspired by the song "Too Beautiful" by He is We. I knew this was what I wanted to write because of that amazing song.

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This article has 7 comments.


on Jul. 22 2011 at 4:24 pm
DeusExMachina SILVER, Reading, Pennsylvania
7 articles 6 photos 93 comments

Favorite Quote:
The universe was exploding, each particle away from the next, hurtling us into dark and lonely space, eternally tearing us away from each other--child out of the womb, friend away from friend, moving from each other, each through his own pathway toward the goal-box of solitary death

Oh ahah well I still liked it!

Emily.L GOLD said...
on Jul. 22 2011 at 1:32 pm
Emily.L GOLD, Gilbert, Arizona
10 articles 12 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Sometimes, we just have to be happy with what people can offer us. Even if it's not what we want, at least it's something. " -Sarah Dessen

Well, that wasn't exactly supposed to be there! I put the actual quote (") but it changed itself...but as long as it works :)

on Jul. 22 2011 at 11:00 am
DeusExMachina SILVER, Reading, Pennsylvania
7 articles 6 photos 93 comments

Favorite Quote:
The universe was exploding, each particle away from the next, hurtling us into dark and lonely space, eternally tearing us away from each other--child out of the womb, friend away from friend, moving from each other, each through his own pathway toward the goal-box of solitary death

Nice job! Really creative use of the &quot I've never seen that before!

OceanFey GOLD said...
on Jul. 22 2011 at 10:44 am
OceanFey GOLD, North Potomac, Maryland
12 articles 1 photo 36 comments

Favorite Quote:
It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get. - Confucius

My favorite line is "youth whispers to him." Good job with the poem!

.Izzy. BRONZE said...
on Jul. 22 2011 at 10:07 am
.Izzy. BRONZE, Broadview Heights, Ohio
1 article 0 photos 388 comments
I liked the writing style and how you used three strikes. I feel bad for the kid :(

on Jul. 21 2011 at 11:17 pm
DaylightDarkness SILVER, Littleton, Colorado
9 articles 0 photos 102 comments

Favorite Quote:
Everyone's crazy. You know why? We all want to be normal. Well, we cant define normal, and, the people you can point at and say, well isn't he/she normal are rare. Doesnt that kind of defeat the pupose of normal? -My Friend

This is really dark, and in a mode I've not seen before. well done.

on Jul. 21 2011 at 6:01 pm
bookworm29 PLATINUM, Rockville, Maryland
28 articles 2 photos 61 comments
Thats so sad. Poor kid.