Pain Poem by Chantel Braatz

It is in the small things we see it.
When a precious baby
opens its eyes for the first time
and you get the feeling
you’re on cloud nine.
The first time it spoke
as awesome as an explosion.
When they started picking on you
only because you were different,
and it was a slap in your face,
because you believed them.-

Later
When you picked a fight.
That agoning feeling
you got hoping you
wouldn’t die.
Getting your driver’s license
as awesome as a roller coaster ride
that you never wanted
to get out of.
The crying you did when you walked
on stage,
knowing your life was just starting.
Now an adult, starting your new life.-

Later
When you decided to have a baby,
a nightmare you started
when rushing into things.
Day after day
knowing he wouldn’t come back.
Thought it was love at first sight,
But you knew it really wasn’t.

Later
That shooting pain you got
when you started not
showing up.
Those gut feeling your family
got praying you would show up this time.
The pounding and the throbbing
headaches you got.
It was a slap in your face
when you disowned your family, including yourself.