Art work by: Claudia Schoenfeld
Slam, bang, crash
The sound resonated through me
I stepped from my past
Away from the tower of mediocrity
Into a future
I knew you were sceptical of.
You gathered like grinning hyenas
Watching, waiting, wondering
When your chance to strike
Might come
To prove my folly,
The one you collectively
Consistently carved into my soul.
‘How will you cope?’
‘You aren’t good enough.’
‘They’ll eat you up.’
Spit out your bones.’
You mocked these words at me
As I broke the mould of complacency
The barrier between
Acceptance
And
Question.
Years later I look back
I remember that attic room
The confines of a culture
Happy to see the same four walls
The same view twenty-four seven.
I have seen the world
Proved you wrong,
I made it
Content.
Your snideness echoes still
As you wallow in the mire
Of a world you find desirable.
Written for: http://dversepoets.com/2014/09/02/poetics-sketch-it-out/
Thank you Claudia for allowing us to use your sketches as inspiration for today’s dverse.
Morpethroad 
I am glad that you proved those ‘grinning hyenas’ wrong. Sad, how these kinds of things that people said really stick with a person over the years, isn’t it? The ‘hyenas’ have probably long forgotten their words & moved on to some other ‘victim.’ But…..it is good that you moved on, have triumphed over their snideness. You can feel good about that!
Thank you Mary feeling good is why everyday is a good day.
Spit out your bones – excellent line Michael, as are the rest. How quick we are to be judged by others. To step out of that tower and to prove to others we can make it, to be accepted,what ever the form. Another very good write.
Thank you Jenny, have a good day.
It takes a lot of courage to leave the family and complacent world and venture into unknown ~ Good for you to prove to yourself that you can do it ~ Have a lovely week ~
Thanks Grace, enjoy your week too.
Such belittling, harsh words… glad for the ending and making their mockery a lie.
“Proved you wrong,
I made it
Content.”
Thank you Debi, I appreciate your comment. It feels good to have disproved all the detractors.
I too am glad you proved her/them wrong, Michael! What might seems folly to others could be what is best for us. And if you feel content, who is to be the judge?
Exactly, breaking away can be traumatic but if it leads to. Better life it is worth the pain. Thanks Gabriella for your comment appreciated as always.
“Away from the tower of mediocrity
Into a future
I knew you were skeptical of.”
Well, this image certainly allowed you a wonderful metaphor! And to think, some are crushed by the weight of never having escaped. Nicely done.
Thank you Margaret. I appreciate your comment. Have a good day.
This is rather telling Michael. I liked it, because I know you stepped out and made it. And you proved certain people wrong. And that’s a good thing I think.
Thank you Jackie. I did and it feels good.
smiles…like crabs in a pot…when you try to step away or escape that tower of mediocrity…they are ready to pull you back in…to laugh…to let you know you will come back to it…good for you for shaking it off
Thanks Brian. Hope you have a good week.
YES! Good words!
Thank Bill.
I have been in a similar situation and proved him wrong…not that I was out to “prove” anything…just save my life is all. So glad to hear of your contentment…that’s a nice place to be.
Thanks Gayle, it is after a great struggle.
oh i’m glad he made his way despite what others said… it is much more difficult and hat off that he found the way….
Thanks Claudia, wonderful images to choose from, thanks for the opportunity.
To be belittled by others.. But snide remarks can be a great force proving they are wrong. Glad it worked (but it’s a painful motivator)
Thanks Bjorn and yes it is but one worth the effort to overcome.
Ohh, the grinning hyenas is a strong image, Michael. It’s a powerful poem.
Thank you Karen, I hope you are doing well.
Beautiful contrast you build in here – and I am glad you proved them wrong. I agree with what Bjorn says though…
Thank you Abhra for reading and your comment.
‘Of a world you find desirable’ – such subtle scorn in that line. Well deserved, I imagine.
Thank you Marina. I think so.
Good for you! You proved to yourself that you can do it !
Thank you Ayala, appreciate your comment.
reaching contentment is not an easy job especially when it’s against the tide…inspiring lines…
Thank you Sumana. I agree not an easy task.
Glad you can achieve your goals. It always take time. Like how you picked a picture to go with your write. Always pleased to see someone doing well. Liked reading about your success.
Thank you so much that’s a lovely comment, much appreciated.
… overcoming odds and /or putting the pain of the past behind you..you are not alone.. An appropriate sketch for your thought, feeling, and words…
Thanks Kathy, lovely to see you drop by.
all those nay sayers proven wrong – the ‘tower of mediocrity- what a strong image that is – so high and too scary for many to leave – the strength and fortitude it takes to leave that tower is great – well done
Thanks Kathleen. Have a good day.
what an escape…with so many naysayers, that can be hard to do. there were some nice little spells of consonance within that I enjoyed the sound of, “Watching, waiting, wondering / when” and “collectively / Consistently carved.”
Thank you for noticing, I appreciate you reading and your comment. Have a good day.
So glad you proved them wrong! Wonderful story here. I enjoyed visiting your blog–the photo at the top is lovely.
Thanks peggy, lovely to see you visit.
Wow, this is incredible. I connect with this on every level… I come from that world, that mire, which certain people find desirable. I know the mockery, the tearing down of a person, too well.
Yes! Yes, yes. I was the black sheep of the family. I never felt like I fit in. I wasn’t like them, still aren’t. I got out too. Cheers, and what a wonderful introduction to your writing.
-Mike
Thank you for commenting and for following my blog. Hope to see you drop by again.
Most definitelty. FYI, my piece for the prompt is here, don’t know if you saw it yet. http://bostonpoetry.wordpress.com/2014/09/03/kaleidoscope/
-Mike
This is a popular post, resonates with many; me too! It feels pretty good to prove those wrong who tried to bring us down, huh? Well done Michael 🙂
Thanks Mandy. Sometimes it’s good to find others who feel the same because they’ve had similar experiences. Have a good evening.
it sure feels good when we reach that stage where it does not matter anymore what others say ..as we are content in our space..smiles..
Thank you arathi, I appreciate your comment.
Great stuff! Thanks, you gave me a smile.
Thanks Greg for stopping by.