A Poem by Vance Walker Included in Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology

Amazon Bestseller, Anthology, Gabriela Marie Milton, Literary Revelations, poem, poetry 2 Minutes

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

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Published by Gabriela Marie Milton

Gabriela Marie Milton #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author, 2019 Author of the Year at Spillwords Press NYC; internationally published poet; poetry collections Woman: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis Pres, July 27, 2021); Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis Press, April, 2020)

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73 thoughts on “A Poem by Vance Walker Included in Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology”

  9. 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! ❤️🙏🏻☺️

    Reply

    1. 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.

      Reply

      1. 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!

      2. I have the business plan, but I am really worried about my site.

        Have a good evening and thank you for your support.

      4. Thank you so much John. I really appreciate your offer. Apparently WP fixed it.

  10. 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

    Reply

    1. I think so too Barbara. Thank you for your support and your generosity 🙏🌺🌹❤️

      Reply

  19. 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! 💞

    Reply

    1. Thank you Nancy. I thought the same. Terrifying. May all of us be able to heal our wounds. Sending you love 🌹🌺🌸

      Reply

      1. 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!

  26. 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.

    Reply

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