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Why I Don't Draw

October 6, 2012
By Jacy-Lee PLATINUM, Stonington, Connecticut
More by this author
Jacy-Lee PLATINUM, Stonington, Connecticut
21 articles 2 photos 24 comments

Favorite Quote:
Love to learn, learn to love

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A drawing hung crookedly
on a blank slab of empty wall.

At the age of four, I was an artist.

At four and two days,
your hand tore
it down, shaking with rage
you spat on it as I stood
hands bruised and cut
from your metal work boots.

My neck bent and cracked
when you seized my chin, dragging
my head down to stare at the work
signed in blocky, broken writing.

Only f****** draw, hissed in my ear.
You hurled me against
the cabinets, disgusted when I cried.

© Caycie G., Rochester, MA

The author's comments:
There was a newspaper article about this boy who, when he was really young, was a great artist. But one day he heard his dad talking to his uncle while he was sitting at the table drawing. The uncle looked over and said, "So how long are you going to let your gay son draw?" or something to that effect. The boy never drew again and he's in his twenties now. Obviously, I have elaborated and changed the story, but my inspiration came from this boy and his tear-jerking story. My heart goes out to you. <3
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JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 1 comment.

sadesdd DIAMOND said...
on Oct. 10 2012 at 10:04 am
sadesdd DIAMOND, Elma, Iowa
90 articles 0 photos 213 comments
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This is so sad, and touching. Thank you for writing this for that boy whose dreams where crushed. I can't understand why that uncle would say something like that. All my siblings, my one brother especially are very good artists, and to think someone might have crushed their dreams and they might have not become what they are makes me sad. Again great job, one of my favorites.