Poetry Samples

This collection of poetry samples is extremely small in comparison to the number of poems and poetry I have in total. Please contact me if you’d like to see more samples.

On the whole, my poetry almost always is relating to either love or child abuse. . . .

. . . .Both, from experience.

Sidewalks...

For me, as my small feet plodded the sidewalks of Pensacola, I took in a breath of fresh salty air and looked down in pleasure at the perfect white slabs of concrete beneath me. They were the cleanest part of my world back then and led to places far from the place I called home -- the home I was so afraid in.

The moment my little feet stepped out the door

I knew I was free from my hell once more

And even if only a moment in time

at least that single moment was mine

Even knowing that world would always be there

I walked on the sidewalks and did not care

Travis and I walked each morning to school - me age six and he age five. A perfectly laid gutter - always clean and free of debre - curved perfectly to run flush with the edges of the sidewalks. On the other side, there were always either lawns of perfect green, leading to houses of strangers or mounds of red clay on which stood sturdy shells of homes to be.

The white that glistened even when wet

gave me a freedom i'll never forget

And like a ghost that would not go away

I knew behind me my torture would stay

It would still be there when i made my way back

When my happy footsteps would somehow get off track

Construction was prominent then and houses were springing up everywhere. I would dream as a child of living in those houses -- away from my hell. Away from the pain of my father's love. Travis and I would sometimes walk onto the foundations of the new homes and I would fantasize about the new home being mine

But for the glorious moments I stood upon them -

those simple slabs of concrete were like a best friend

Holding promise that one day I would walk on them more

and I'd not have to turn to go back to that door

Standing strong and dark between my home and being free

the sidewalks would always be there to lead me.

I would walk and walk -- always admiring the perfect crevices between each slab of the sidewalks. The sidewalks that took me away - step by step. Strange, though, I don't seem to recall my impressions of the sidewalks as I walked back home. Ahead was only darkness. Perhaps because of that, the beauty of the sidewalks could not be seen.

The beauty of the sidewalks though simple it seems

was the source of an innocent little girl's dreams

So long ago showing a promising path

When I looked way ahead, without looking back

It was all I once had, to help me concieve

the notion that otherwise I'd not believe

That somewhere in life there were places to see

Where the sidewalks led safely away from Daddy.

-Cristina D Baugh

February

It's cold outside, the winds keep blowing

And I think of you, though you're unknowing

How is your life, how is your world?

How are things, with your new girl?

Do I ever cross your mind? Do you think of my touch?

God, how I need you - you'll never know how much.

I wish you could see through my teary blue eyes

So that maybe, somehow, you'd come to realize

The last time we spoke, you were so wrong

You're still in my heart - where you'll always belong

As each day goes by, there's so much around me

Reminding me of you in a constant bittersweet memory.

No matter what happened or what comes to be

You'll always be the one that I loved honestly

I need you now - because I need my best friend

You're strong in my heart - where you've always been.

But I guess in your world, I no longer exist:

Your lips are now touched by another one's kiss

Still I want you to know, after all we've been through

Happy Valentine's Day, babe...

...I still love you.

-Cristina D Baugh

Break Me

You could feed my aches-

touch the tenderest parts of me

And all for love’s sake

You could break me so easily

Make me cry, for this I plead

Because I want to let go

But I can’t tell you my needs

Just wish you could somehow know

My heart aches beneath my shield

Cries out to you silently-

God how I so want to yield

And give you that wounded part of me.

-Cristina D. Baugh

Where Were All The Grownups?

Where were all the grownups when the boy began to cry?

Many times he'd seen them fight but never knew just why.

Where were all the role models teaching right from wrong?

What about the nursery rhymes and Disney "sing-alongs"

With every shout that filled the air another tear would fall.

and echoes of their angry words would muffle out his call,

"Stop fighting," he pleaded - his voice to soft to hear

His Ninja Turtle pulled up close, he covered up his ears

But nowhere in his lonely room - of all the toys he had -

Was anything to stop the pain of hearing mom and dad

Where were all the guardians to stroke his curly hair?

To wipe away his teardrops, and get him out of there?

He's startled and his body jumps when a loud crash hits the wall

Where were all the grownups when he ran out in the hall?

Who was to protect him from the piercing agony

of watching as his parents struck each other angrily?

Where were all the grownups When he raised his voice some more?

And standing all alone and scared his pleading went ignored.

Who is there to help him when his world turns inside out?

Who is left to guide him down an uncertain path of doubt?

Who can he believe in if it isn't mom and dad?

Right before him, they conduct in ways they’ve taught are bad.

So lonely and alone and scared he lived through one more night

of hoping every minute past would end his parents fight.

His unmade bed and dirty clothes, he put himself to bed

He cried himself to sleep again with sheets over his head

The fight would end as he slept - at least the yelling part.

And mom peeks in to see he's fine -- except his broken heart.

-Cristina D. Baugh

E-Mail