Then the time will come
for the one in the nest
to spread its wings
some decide to stay
they will never be the same
peace & love

William

Dawn - Excellent portrait that reveals the complexity of human nature and how it reacts to its circumstances. It's sad to see one so young
stunted, as you state in the final lines:

and they bring him both comfort and fear,

yet he realizes he lacks the strength and the courage…

so he stays…

an empty shell of a boy who lives only half an existence.

- David

Sometimes being a kid involves lots of pain. I remember that pain all too well. Part of it comes from not having the power or independence to make your own choices. It's also hard to be misunderstood. Great poem, Dawn.
Sheila

OK you caught me! Who told you I ran away from home at age 10, ready to make my way in the world, and I had a very good home. I guess my feelings weren't so rare afterall.

Stay well and keep writing

Ed

It is a fearful thing when children become vindictive. The father of my children taught them well, from a very early age how to despise their Mother. 3 years ago one of them tampered with our car in an effort to either maim us or worse. They are both in their thirties with kids of their own who are learning how to be vindictive too. They do not know where we live and hopefully never will. Pray for this young boy of whom you write. Bless you, J'nia

All we can do is try to show them a good example.

Boys often have these thoughts when growing up. I never could figure it out as to why. Thanks for sharing.

its difficult when comfort and fear stem from the same source and reinforces the absence of strength and courage ... such a relationship is indeed toxic and maladjusted, especially when it's a parent ...

intriguing subject matter well-defined ...

You've captures the essence of his quandary pretty well. One of my twin daughters is just about that vindictive ... I fear she will never mature.

Dawn,
The conflicts, uncertainties, frustrations of growing and maturing, I often wish we had the silent dignity of plants as they push up but we are human and subject to turmoil. I love what you say here and you say it well.
John

It is sad that parents and children can't always see eye to eye, although not getting along and abuse are quite different. Communications are so very important and when they break down children often feel so alone...it is then that teachers, relatives and others can step in and maybe fill the gap of understanding.

Fee

Never an easy decision for one to make, yet fate plays a role in the ultimate outcome. Words of concern are so overwhelming with difficult decisions on the horizon....

Be always safe,
Karen

There is always this push and pull of emotions between parents and a child trying to assert his independence. It's a way for the child to find the will to make it on his own. Don't know if there's abuse here, but do know that some parents want even more control as their sons and daughters pull away. If he is in an abusive situation, he probably has low self-esteem caused by years of verbal and emotional abuse. This has probably caused him to retreat inside that shell. A part-time job to ease him into providing for himself might help? Fine write, Dawn...Lin

This is well-written, revealing of the boy's dilemma and his emotions. I like the format, too, and the picture is perfect.
Pity the children. Connie

It's hard to tell who's at fault here. But in the boy's mind, it
is the mother. Both boy and mother are the problem. And I would suggest that the mother needs the teacher as much as the boy.
Well done, Dawn, very well done. -gene.

May his shell be filled,,,,so many walk in his shoes..truly sad!

Maybe I am playing devil's advocate, but...how many of us wanted to run away when we were younger because we had been lectured for breaking a rule? My nine year old packed her bags this week and threatened to run away... all because we wouldn't allow her to bully her sisters. So...I have to agree with Jeanette on this one. How much of his own misery is he bringing on himself? I really truly believe that there are few children in this era who actually accept responsibility for their own actions. I know that my own children struggle with this on a daily basis...and see it rampant in the world outside my home.

The poem, aside from my opinion, is beautifully written and portrays the feeling of what, I believe, many teenagers go through at one point in time or another.

Cryssa

Wish I'd had a teacher like you, Dawn - powerfully penned.

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

Pondering your poem, I don't have clue since I loved school each and every day. In family of five kids, it was my refuge and a place to be myself and work to learn. ...A well done piece, however. - Bill

Let me say first of all, had I had a teacher like you, what can I say after that, you are a wonderful person for caring, far too few do, that was my experience, but to also put it in a different light, who cared for Mom, everyone tries with what they have.
Hugs! Jasmin Horst

WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!! Liana Margiva

A very thought provoking poem, Dawn!
Since I was a teacher, I know that teachers get involved in their students' lives and hurt when they hurt. Each child brings to school with him/her their own problems, pains, hurts and sacks of garbage collected from home over the length of their life. Even from the best homes, children will inherit their own personal cross to bear. The child you speak of obviously has a heavier one than some children. Sounds like he's immersed in a bubble of his mother's making and wants to be set free. But whatever the problem, it must be looked at from both perspectives. He might be just as liable for the misery he feels as is his mother.

Dawn this is so touching--these boys often have so much trouble finding themselves-what a well expressed write, from his caring teacher

Youth sometimes go through these phases and I know I did in my time, but I loved Mom and Dad so I tried to fill up 75% existence, at least.
A wonderful poem of a child's struggles, from the teacher's point of view.

Cynthia

You should read my short story "When children don't cry" and maybe you can understand this boy. I know that teachers are daily exposed to that kind of life's elements, and suffer with the children like they were their own.
Another sad story, which many decenniums after seems to be the same.

Georg

Terribly sad, especially that last line.

They will work out in the end sweet lady....I know what your feeling I go through the same things every day in my line of work..stay strong and always keep smiling..Hugsss

You can only do so much as a teacher but your heart is in the right place and these things some how work out in the end.

I was there in High School, as I was quite immature, hell, still am, but I feel for this kid, it was NOT a fun childhood existence & if he is not a fictional character, then well, Dawn, I think there is little you can do...he has to do what is right for him...he will get away from his mother eventually, I did...somehow or another he has to find some humor in his predicament, at least...as I always say about my mom, if someone calls me an SOB I just say, "Hey, you know my mother!" Thought provoking, thanks...Ed