As of this writing Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology is still running #1 on Amazon New Releases [poetry anthologies]. This is almost the 5th day. I cannot tell you how humbled and delighted I am. The poetry in this volume is fantastic. 150 poets wrote about their childhood. Joy and pain. Tears and smiles.
Today coming from childhood the voice of Vance Walker.
PAST AS PROLOGUE – VANCE WALKER
Under the old oak tree
where they hung our swing
we three would play
till the bell would ring
and we burned our hands
on the fisherman’s rope
and skinned our knees
on the fireman’s pole
In our big tree house
with lights but no water
we three played
two sons and a daughter
Using cherries for blood
our ammunition was mud
squirt guns for rain
It was all just pantomimed pain
And I could hold my breath
much longer than you
under the old oak tree
when it was just us two
Except on that day
on that afternoon
when that rope around your neck
turned your face bright blue
I didn’t know what to do
under that old oak tree
Hang on hold on
I’ll get you free
We had our GI Joes
up to their necks in mud
and flying through the air
and landing with a thud
And I could hold my breath
much longer than you
except on that day
on that afternoon
when you banged to the floor
when I banged down the door
blood, not mud
and your face bright blue
I didn’t know what to do
tears coming down like rain
you in your cherry juice
you and your phone cord noose
Remember when
we had to pantomime pain?
Well it was we three
then it was us two
now it’s just me
me alone
using tears for rain
and I don’t have to pantomime pain.
Vance Walker has been writing poetry since he was a little boy. Recent poetry published: When Smooth-Faced Wooers Woo, in the Wingless Dreamer’s Breath of Love, Poems for Global Poemic, Vita Brevis Press, and The Gay & Lesbian Review. His play, You’ve Got To Keep Mother Alive, was recently performed at Scribe Stages.
Updates:
My deepest apologies for not being able to return your likes. At this point Word Press is working to fix several problems that occurred with this site. I believe I can reply to your comments on my site, but I cannot leave comments or like other sites. I hope this problem gets fixed soon.
Gabriela Marie Milton
2022 Pushcart Prize Nominee
Publisher, Editor, Award Winning & #1 Amazon Bestselling Author
Books:
Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology (ed.), Literary Revelations, 2023
Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women (ed.), Experiments in Fiction, 2022.
Woman: Splendor and Sorrow :I Love Poems and Poetic Prose, Vita Brevis Press, 2021.
Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings, Vita Brevis Press, 2020
Heartbreakingly beautiful. What a poem. ❤️
Yes. It’s quite a poem Alethea. Thank you for reading.
Beautiful poem with nice play of words 😊💕💕💕
Thank you so much. It’s beautiful but it’s a very sad poem.
True!!
From happiness to heartbreak..a painful end to a wonderful journey. Touching 🤍
Thank you for reading and commenting. Hugs.
Pleasure…
xoxo
I love, love, love it!
Thank you my fabulous Virginia.
Wow 😢beautiful poem
Thank you Jade.
Day 5 at #1, that’s wonderful. Amazing poem. Love it!💕
Thank you so much for your compliments hon.
Truly my pleasure 💕
A very powerful poem. I wasn’t expecting the turn it took.
Thank you so much. Indeed powerful with an unexpected end.
xoxo
You’re welcome.
xoxo
The horrors of life. Sadness expressed so beautifully.
Indeed Terveen. Thank you for your support all across the board. Sending huge hugs.
I’ve had a certain issue with my site recently that took those WP Engineers a week to figure out, but the solved it. I hope they solve your tech issue too. The poem reminds me of when my son and daughter were little ones, a very special time! ❤️🙏🏻☺️
John, thank you so much for your reply. In my mind one of the two things happened: either one of the plugins marked my site as spam, either the communication between the body of the blog and the reader got damaged. One way or another it needs to be fixed asap 9who knows?) because I need to promote the book on behalf of so many wonderful authors.
I am glad the poem reminded you of those special times. Thank you for your kind support. Enjoy the rest of your day.
You are welcome. ❤️ I really hope your site is repaired soon, you musy have the Business plan too to be using plugins. Or, self-hosted. Happy Tuesday!
I have the business plan, but I am really worried about my site.
Have a good evening and thank you for your support.
You are welcome, if you have. question, ask me, I hope I can help. 🤙🏻☺️
Thank you so much John. I really appreciate your offer. Apparently WP fixed it.
That is great news! 👍🏻😎
Yes, it is. Thank you.
What a beautifully written and very tragic story. Not something one ever forgets. Vance Walker my heart cries for you and all the others in my book. A book I can not wait to dive into and yet I know it will be painful it also let’s me know I am never a lone. Such an incredible piece. My like button has not been working for a long time. I keep lighting it back up to blue just to watch it turn dark again. Blessings to you Gabriela for bringing us all together and I know for me it will be therapeutic experience. Hugs, and blessings, Joni
Congratulations Gabriela on such great news. What a beautiful poem and I agree, “we don’t have to pantomime pain.” 🤗💖😍
Thank you hon. It’s a first class poem. I am glad you liked it.
Sending love.
xoxo
Oh yes Gabriela, I have to agree with you. You are so very welcome my friend. Hugs and smooches! 🤩💕🥰
❤️❤️❤️
Beautifully powerful or powerfully beautiful. 🤓
Thank you so much for your kind words. I am glad you think so.
xoxo
This poem is so gripping, tragic, sad and powerful! My prayers!
I think so too Barbara. Thank you for your support and your generosity 🙏🌺🌹❤️
My pleasure! ♥️🌷🌺
❤️❤️❤️
Such a poignant poem.
🙏💔
Such a powerful poem
Yes, it is 💔
I have had problems liking and commenting too!
I hope they got fixed.
Heartbreaking poem beautifully crafted. 💜
Indeed. Thank you for reading.
Oh a childhood filled with happiness and loss, bitter sweet…
Yes, it is bitter sweet. Thank you for reading hon.
Wow, this poem is chilling and so well written Vance. It sends shivers up my spine. Congratulations on this best seller Gabriela, where we can all give voice to our childhood. You are an inspiration! 💞
He is indeed.
So awfully sad, terrifying for a child.This was glorious in its sorrow.
Thank you Nancy. I thought the same. Terrifying. May all of us be able to heal our wounds. Sending you love 🌹🌺🌸
Something we will always work on. 💕🌹
Indeed 🌺🌹❤️
Deep poem, beautifully written.
I have never heard of the book, however, it seems well worth the read and the attention that it is getting.
Thank you for you wonderful comment. In many aspects is a very important book 🌹❤️
Yes! I can definitely tell the book is vital.
People sharing their experiences in a very personal, candid and wonderful way that is therapeutically healing, inspiring and creative.
The best and most penetrating art comes within the form of our life experiences where many of us can relate.
This book will be a great beneficial asset to many!
I really hope so. Again thank you for your kind words 🌺🌹
🧸🌷
🌹
Wow. This is a moving poem. It’s dark, sad, and beautiful.
🙏🌹🌺❤️
Sad but real, heartbreaking but true, how the heart became blue. Rain swept away the childhood, one heart, remembering the two, who…. A lovey share!
Thank you Warren 🙏🌸
You’re very welcome!
xo
Powerful poem !
So heart touching… amazing tale told in poetry..
Indeed. Thank you so much for reading 🙏
This piece of writing is both powerful, shocking and beautifully written all at the same time. Fighting back the tears reading this perfectly crafted poem, I think of heartbreak and the release that people get from writing and the people that are helped by hearing and sharing sorrow, knowing they are not alone. Thank you so much for sharing.