Tragedy Strikes When Compromises Cannot Be Reached: A Narrative Poem

Author:
Michelle Liew
Updated date:
May 27, 2022

tragedy-strikes-when-compromises-cannot-be-reached-a-prose-poem

Have you ever been in a situation where you needed that little bit of flexibility or help very much, but were refused? Sometimes, the lack of that flexibility can cause disastrous consequences. In this case, it really is ironic.

Steve, a good lad, came home one day,

Said he would rather study - did not go out to play

Ignored the screeching screams of his brothers and sisters

Put his nose to the books, writing till his hands got blisters.

At dinner, Steve asked his dad, with ill-ease

“Could I have money to buy some books please?”

Slamming his newspaper on the table with a grunt, his dad said

“Didn’t I just pay for some books, you runt?” -

For Steve’s dad was the family’s sole bread winner

Made a thousand dollars a month - just enough for dinner

Just covered utilities, the phone bill and money for dresses -

His dad had no more for other expenses.

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But seeing the boy’s discomfited reaction,

Dad had no choice but to give some satisfaction

“There’s a financial aid scheme in your school you could try -

What do you have to lose, why don’t you apply?”

Steve took his application, filling it with glee

Made up his mind to go to school with his plea

His teacher brought it to the Head- a lady of grace

Stiff and prim, with expressionless face.

She looked at his form, tore, threw it in the air,

She gave Steve’s teacher the sternest glare

“He makes a thousand dollars, too much money you see;

$999 and lower for us to agree.”

So it was, the unwelcoming nasty decision,

Made with too much haste, cutting precision

Bankruptcy was soon declared

After money was given in books by his dad.

One fine day, Steve opened the door to Dan,

Who, with gusto, grabbed his mother’s hand

The two made a start for his fancy limousine,

And went away, never to be seen.

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Steve’s dad was desperate, broken, sunk

Started coming home, roaring drunk.

Began beating his children at whim

Face harbored no happiness, was ghastly and grim.

Steve’s guilty heart could not be assuaged

His need for books caused his father’s rampage

He made up his mind, he was better off dead -

Deadly decision made, put a bullet to his head.

At Steve’s funeral, his father cried

Like all parents would - “Why did my son die?”

The school’s head came, as a matter of routine

To show care and concern for the folk of the teen.

In her hand, an envelope, ready to aid

Money for expenses, bills and needs

Steve’s father looked up, gave her a blank stare

That said “How nice it is that you really care.”

Other poems by Michelle Liew (midget 38)

In the turbulent sea of humanity
Being human is facing ups and downs - an eternal struggle to be kind, to be generous, and to be patient.
The elusive four leaf clover
Our search for luck is eternal; we always want that lucky break and hold tightly to it..yet when we find it, we take it very much for granted.
The sagacity tree - the nature of wisdom
Wisdom is a great tree; it is patient, serene, resilient and positive, but most of all, it trusts in God.
Winds of Change and Volatility
Coping with change is difficult -yet change is our only constant. We face it with grace,knowledge and a new frame of mind.

Comments

Michelle Liew (author) from Singapore on September 17, 2012:

Lots, Ann. There are theses cases that slip through the cracks. Thanks for coming by!

Ann1Az2 from Orange, Texas on September 17, 2012:

What a sad twist at the end. Well done, midget! I wonder how much of this really goes on?

Michelle Liew (author) from Singapore on September 16, 2012:

Hello, Rema, thanks for coming by! It's these "so close yet so far" cases that are the most tragic. Have seen it happen to my students, all because things cannot be managed on a case by case basis. Appreciate the support!

Rema T V from Chennai, India on September 16, 2012:

Oh what a sad ending Michelle! I cannot accept it but is whatever that is happening in our life acceptable to us? No, never, there are so many things beyond our control and this is what happened here in Steve's case.

Very sad indeed! It hurts to read such sad tales but this is the bitter truth we have to understand. Great poem Michelle. You are very talented. God Bless you. Cheers, Rema.

Michelle Liew (author) from Singapore on September 08, 2012:

Yep, it's a weird world, Lord. We have to see all this tragedy in a more positive light, though! Thanks for coming by!

Joseph De Cross from New York on September 08, 2012:

Agreeing with so many. Amazing read; had to read twice as well! Lol!

Not my night for tragedies that can strike with no warning. This world is really crazy. Thanks for sharing this prose-poem!

Michelle Liew (author) from Singapore on August 31, 2012:

Hi Mary....sadly, this is a true situation that I encountered many times as a teacher, and I couldn't blame the principal either as his hands were tied by the authorities. Wish things were more flexible!! Appreciate you, Mary!!

Mary Craig from New York on August 31, 2012:

Amazing! Sometimes we need to bend the rules....to see the people not the dollar signs. This was just amazing...so well written and something you want to read from beginning to end!

Voted up, awesome, and interesting.

Michelle Liew (author) from Singapore on August 29, 2012:

Thanks, Mary! Sadly, many fail to see that being unbending causes many, many problems! Sometimes, one has to make exceptions for rule if it is valid. Thanks for coming by!

Mary Hyatt from Florida on August 29, 2012:

I liked the ending the best. Lots of meaning here . I had to read the Hub twice...not your fault, mine!

Michelle Liew (author) from Singapore on August 25, 2012:

Thanks, Yes.

IntegrityYes on August 25, 2012:

That is great.