A Boys Eyes Poem by Rr Smith

Decades past, in the midst of a blizzard, a boy was born. He was given a Gaelic name, despite his non Gaelic lineage. For this verse he will be known as "13".

From birth he was henceforth known by his Gaelic name. After years of being called by his birth name, he knew the name was not his own. The name was given to distract from all the evil and the pain that would come to pass during his stay here on this earth.

This boy's Father was a hero, not the type that was revered or emulated, nor the kind with a gentle soul. Father was a decorated war hero, an officer, a killer. The war in Vietnam had made him hard and unforgiving. Once back from the war, Father's temper was quick and he expected blind obedience and his expectations were insatiable.

The obedience we speak of was expected from his nearly 3 year old son, "13". No other family member was exposed to the horrors. Nothing the young would be soldier could do was ever correct, nor would it be good enough. In the boy's mind, though far advanced, there was not yet a way for him to understand the reasoning behind the brand of military discipline that was perpetuated by "13's" Father.

At every turn there was an infraction, a mistake lurking around every corner. Despite the boy's best efforts he always fell short in the eyes of Father.

The slaps, the belt, the handprints, the welts, the bruises and black eyes worn, were all an attestment of the brutality brought home from the war. "13" was alone in this, the rest of the family was safe from the thrashings.

The boy with the clear blue eyes remained in peril, fear and pain. That boy is now a grown man with children of his own, yet he still carries the same expression "please not again". The man with the clear blue eyes is still the same, he is still that little boy, asking "Why me Daddy? "