you knock once
knuckling the wood grain
I stand
chipped enamel scratches
unpainted floorboards
stub my cigarette
hard against the lacquered saucer
it’s mate broken years ago
~~
step slow to the door
head tilted view
through curtains of chiffon
to make sure it was you
its been months
since you were here
~~
perfumed gin hangs on my breath
I wont stand so close
you are here for just one reason
to take the kid to a circus
trying to make up for
times you never showed
you knock once more
patience
not your strong point
~~
“Alright” I yell
“Keep your shirt on”, slurred
I wonder if you’ll notice
my mind flashes back to
better times
how you looked without
a shirt
“Nathan”, I scream
“Your father’s here
Jesus, are you ready?”
~~
I hear you shuffle from
your room, hair not brushed
mud caked jeans from yesterday
t shirt with the coca-cola stain
I forgot to spray
before I washed
“Crap, look at the state of you
can’t you dress in something clean
your dad ‘ill think I’m unfit to
look after you”
~~
“This is what’s clean”
you murmur, head bowed
I long for another sip of gin
“You ready mate”, he asks
as if our yesterdays did not exist
“Perhaps a shopping trip along the way?”
you smile
arms around his shoulders
walking out the door
I watch the car pull away
reach for the bottle
forgetting any future
forgetting every past
~~
©jmtacken Jan 2014
Photo Credit: Flickr and jcoterhals
I couldn’t find a photo of a little boy with muddy jeans and T, but his little face was too adorable to pass up
and thank you to Brian Miller from WaystationOne for the poke here and there.
Ramblings From A Mum 
Your female persona is in a bit of a state in this one Jenny, then again we have all been in that place where the child comes out in the worst possible dress. Lovely use of dialogue and description.
The child in disarray or the mother I wonder? 😉 Thank you so much Michael, I did enjoy writing this.
Perfumed gin… Your so very good evoking images with your words J.
Thank you darling Aud, as do your words lovely. xx
You tell stories so well.
That is such a beautiful compliment, thank you A xx
Pulled at a lot of heart strings. First hope, for the little boy.
Welcome Colleen and thank you. I think this came to me after watching breaking bad, with the drug addicted mother and her little boy, so so sad. Appreciate you reading.
The picture of the little boy, his little face, just brought up a lot of sadness with your words. You have a beautiful gift with your words.
Thank you so very much, that is a lovely compliment and I appreciate your kindness. xx
That picture sure tugs at my heart strings and I identify with Mother. Easy to imagine. 😀
Thanks Tess, yes it was a pic of a little one with a bad cold, but I searched as I said and this is what I kept going back to. xx
Adorable.
Isn’t he just x
😀
this is heart-wrenchingly sad, jen.
😦 thank you darling xxx
You drew a vivid image for me, Jen. I could see her, and the little guy and his pop. The mood was there too. I really enjoyed this piece.
Thanks Bec, I had a little help and so glad I do, Brian is an amazing poet and guides me as to what he would like to see in what I write, this was the result. Glad you were there, means a lot as a writer. 🙂 xxx
Jen this is so painful, every word cut right through me. Wonderful write! x
I am glad that it affected you, but not in a bad way, just emotionally. Thank you darling so much xxx
Really Jen, it is a brilliant piece of writing.
Hugs and xxx
night, night !! xx
Well done, Rambly! Fantastic imagery. 🙂
I bow. Thank you madam 😉 x
Really, really sad. I feel for the mother so much but my heart bled for the little boy. Brilliantly written. 🙂
Thank you once again Jade. I just thought I hadn’t been onto https://www.facebook.com/groups/332290193580349/
hmm not sure if that link will turn out… Share your WordPress Blogs for a while, so put some pieces up.
and yay it worked 🙂
Good idea! 🙂