Josie Was

Posted on by jonicaggiano
Poem by Joni Caggiano – Photo by Tatiana Syrikova on Pexels.com




Josie was

a button without a piece of thread
a child that lost the happy and ended up with dread

a dancer with no lessons, shoes, or hope
especially after seeing dad tie her mom up with rope

a sun without the color yellow or a single ray
a girl that got mad at God because he made her stay

a rare flower without a bud, just a thin stem
who snuck softly downstairs at night to spy on them

a beautiful symphony without a single note
especially when her dad peed on her treasured coat

a monarch without a lone patch of milkweed
Josie wasn’t a child at all; this fact she will concede


To all my WordPress friends, I am so grateful for your support, love, and even advice from those I know well. Thank you for caring enough to read my work and understand it is part of who I am, yet it does not define who or how I am right now. Please don’t feel any need to feel worried or sorry for me ever. That is not why I write these words or others; I write them because they tell a story about my life. Thank you to all those who have helped me along the way and still do. I am so grateful to be accepted here for who I am. I love every one of you.   Joni

90 thoughts on “Josie Was”

    1. Thank you so much for reading Tim. I am glad that you are my friend and are so supportive. Life as we both know is not just about happiness but we can keep going. Somehow I did even as a child. ❤️🤗😘🌺 hugs and love to you two, Joni

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  3. “Josie wasn’t a child at all; this fact she will concede”

    Oh My!
    This hits so very close to my same, same, very same feelings.
    A ‘heavy’ thoughtful, wonderful piece.
    Somewhat disconcerting.
    But wonderful nonetheless.
    Did I say ‘wonderful’ already?
    Guess I did.
    I am a simple man.
    Thanks for this one.
    I love it.
    Cheers!
    (gonna bookmark it–but don’t worry–I’ll not steal a single word; only four or five or eight)
    And you know I’m kidding.
    No thief here.
    Just a fan.
    Carry on!

    Reply

    1. Thank you Marcom. I am sorry if you have feelings like this, and sorry for whatever you went through.

      I am glad you enjoyed this piece. I also appreciate your reading and your support.

      Is it extremely hot in Texas as we are having crazy weather here in NC. I hope you are well and enjoying some freedoms again there as well. Things have definitely opened up here. Sending love, hugs and blessings. Have an amazing weekend.
      ❤️🤗😘💕🦋Joni

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  4. I love your writing, Joni💖🙏 it always resonates with my heart. I love that you write about intimate truths, your bravery is much appreciated and is what gives that extra depth. 🌷🤗

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    1. Thank you Judy, you are a sweetie. This was in my spam filter which has now been cleaned out after this comment. I appreciate your words for they are blessing to me and touch my heart. I am so sorry it took so long to see this. Sending love and apologies for not checking my spam filter enough. I can stay busy checking my pending folder and trying to keep that updated, but both have been done now and we should be ok. Have a truly blessed day, love you, Joni

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      1. Hi Joni, no worries my friend, that happens to me too. Your kind comments are always appreciated too. I’m glad to have a friendship with you. Sending love and hugs, I hope you have a beautiful day🤗🌸💖!

      2. I have had an amazing day. I hope your week is filled with love. I also hope the job is going better and that you are happy. Sending love my friend. ❤️🤗😘

      3. I’m glad you had a good day, you deserve it 💖. My work is getting better, the drama has died down. I’m in a new position at the same job, it’s more physical but less stressful. Hugs to you my friend🌷🤗❣️

      4. Oh Judy I am so happy for you. There is enough drama in the world without having drama every day at work. I am glad you have a less stressful job. Hugs, love and blessings to you my friend. ❤️🤗😘🦋

      5. Thank you, Joni. I’m still looking forward to retirement :)! Blessings, love and hugs to you too 🤗💖🙏😘

  5. So powerful, in it’s understated way, like telling a story very matter-of-factly and then a bomb gets thrown on the path. Strong imagery that leaves visual residues…eg. mom being tied up in ropes..was she willing or we don’t know..They small Josie doesn’t know either. Excellent writing Joni..I was gripped to the poem from the very start.❤️🤗🔆🦋

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    1. Thank you Karima for your very thoughtful feedback. I am glad that this piece landed with you exactly where I hoped it would with my kind friends. It is very hard for people to understand growing up like I did so occasionally I write about it, hoping it resonates with someone who is dealing with this kind of life now as a teenager for example. Helping them to know they are not alone.

      I hope you have a wonderful weekend sending you a lot of hugs and thanks again. ❤️🤗😘🦋

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    1. Oh thank you sweet Cassa. You are such a sweetheart and I appreciate your kindness and support. Sending loves and hugs. Have a beautiful weekend. Love ❤️ 💕🤗😘🦋🌺🌻Joni

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  7. I love the poem Joni. The metaphors you have used are simply enchanting!

    “a dancer with no lessons, shoes, or hope
    especially after seeing dad tie her mom up with rope”
    These lines are especially my favorite. They left a profound mark❤

    “a beautiful symphony without a single note” Just…..WOW!

    And the last line is a perfect closure. Loved it🤗❣

    Sending love and hugs💕

    Reply

    1. Thank you sweetheart for your kindness. I am glad you liked it. Someone told me the other day, someone I respect very much that nothing should stop us from writing what we want to. So I will be doing more of these.

      Love and hugs and don’t forget to take a little time away from your studies.
      ❤️🤗😘🙏🦋🌺Joni

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      1. Absolutely my pleasure dear💕 Very true, we should write what we want to. I am excited to read more of your poems as always❤

        Thanks a lot for your thoughtfulness and love😍🤗❣
        xoxoxo….

  8. Brave and beautiful, my dear friend! We must, at times, share our darkness so that others may recognize their light. Your willingness to share these emotionally painful moments not only reveals a troubled past, but also highlights just how far you have come. So very, very proud of you Jonikins!

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    1. How sweet you are Brad. I am glad you encouraged me not to be afraid to write what I feel I must. That is originally why I started my blog, Rum and Robots, and too many sad stories of my past I feared might turn people off. So thank you for caring enough about me to write. Yes, I was able to break the cycle but that pain never goes away completely. I hope that those in abusive situations today May read my blog and find hope.

      I am so honored to have met you Brad and thank you for all your kind comments they have truly touched my heart. Love, hugs and prayers to you my dear friend. ❤️🤗😘Jonikins

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    2. I agree, very well stated. Joni is simply amazing as a kind & thoughtful soul, helping others, while she had no help as a child. That’s one of Gods miracles

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    1. Thank you so much sweet Shweta. Your reading and commenting blesses me. Thank you so much. Have a truly beautiful weekend. ❤️🤗😘💕🌺🦋Love Joni

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  10. A beautiful poem Joni. So well written, about lost childhood and lost hope. Children just need stability and a place to grow. Glad you are getting your words out there. Hugs. Allan

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    1. Thank you for your kindness Allan. I am truly touch by your gracious words. Thank you for the encouragement also. Sending you two both my best wishes and lots of hugs. ❤️🤗💕Joni

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      1. Yes dear I have..! Hoping the same for you..! You’re very welcome..! It’s absolutely my pleasure..! Sending hugs and lots of love to you my dear princess..!🤗💕😍

    1. Thank you so much. I appreciate your kind comment and it means a lot. May your Sabbath be blessed. Love to you and your family. Blessings and hugs, Joni

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  13. Honeybun, the entire post is so powerful. Thank you so much for sharing. You are among people who love you, admire you, and are very grateful you are here. Please know that.

    Sending love and blessings.
    G (Button)
    xoxo

    Reply

    1. There you have gone and made me cry with joy. Thank you for such sweet words Beautiful Button. I feel very privileged to be amongst the friends I have made here.

      Thank you so much truly for your kindness. Sending you a boat full of gorgeous pearls and a lot of love and blessings back.
      ❤️Honeybun

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    2. Thank you for saying how much Joni is loved, I feel it too, in reading her writing community posts. That fills my soul. You are all a beautiful community

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  16. oh my god these words are gripping and the metaphors are so sad and I want to grab that baby up in my arms and am as we speak saying “you made it and I’m so grateful to know your preciousness. Love you so much Joni💖💖💖

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    1. You are such a sweetheart with a beautiful light about you Cindy. I am kind of tearing up after reading this comment. I was just telling my husband about your beautiful family and the surprise vacation your family did in Mexico when I saw this pop up. You and your husband did such an amazing job to have children that want to spend time with their parents like yours do. Thank you for your truly touching comment. I love you too and am so grateful that we met here. My life is blessed for knowing you. ❤️🤗😘💕🦋 love Joni

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  17. Dearest Joni, this was another heartwrenching post. So often we who have lived through abuse forget that we were children, required to cope w/ the ungodly. We hold ourselves to unrealistic standards, critical of our reactions and supposed shortcomings. Only in retrospect can we see the tragedy of the situations we were forced to endure, and the courage it took for us to survive. I wish you an abundance of love, health, and happiness these days. You have most certainly earned them. With love and friendship, A. <3 <3 <3

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    1. Thank you dearest Anna for reading. You are right of course in everything you said. I too wish you an abundance of love, health and happiness my friend.
      You deserve happiness too Anna. Sending you much love dearest Anna.
      Hugs 🤗 too, Joni

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  18. Wow, what an adorable picture and a very sad story. Yes, some families harbor a dark history of abuses and bullying. Often it is very hard to fight back. A lot of love for you to share the story.

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    1. Thank you so much. I feel the same way about the stories you write. Awareness is half the battle and you are helping with that. ❤️🤗😘💕love and hugs Joni

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  19. You did it again, Joni! Your words express so much, so simply, eloquently, and painfully familiar. Don’t ever stop, you have an amazing gift! Love you!!!🥰😉🌞✌

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    1. Thank you so much Tiffany. So sorry any of my work is familiar but with millions of us out there it is no surprise. Thank you as always for your kind words. They mean a lot to me, every one.
      Did you have fun at the show? Your work is so special. 🤗❤️😘💕love ya

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    1. It is my pleasure dear Tangie. If even one person is helped by sharing my childhood and teenage years in my dysfunctional alcoholic house then I will have accomplished what I set out to do. I appreciate your reading to Tangie it means a lot to me and your kind comments. It is hard to read these poems sometimes but when I was little I didn’t know anyone else lived like this. It wasn’t until my early twenties when I realized something was very wrong with me. There were a couple of books that I read that helped me understand why I was so afraid all the time. Of course God was always with me, but I also had to deal with people. I read some great books that got me into counseling which really helped me not repeat the cycle. Hope your sweet family is all doing well. xoxoxxo Love Joni

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  21. No wonder God blesses you so much, you are so deserving of a happy, love filled life after everything you endured. You simply amaze me how kind & thoughtful you are. God knew, you were special. I love you my dear friend

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    1. Thank you my dearest friend. I feel the same way about you. I knew God put you in my life all those years ago for a reason and I was right. Love ❤️ you to pieces. Kiss the fairies for me and watch out for the bear Cubs. Give Mark a squeeze for me. ❤️🤗😘🧚🏻🧚‍♀️🧚🏻

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      1. We are soul sisters, as you have said, it’s an extra special bond. My poor fairies do not like the heat here, or all the flies. But they remain at my side, because they were sent from you to watch over me. Love you

    1. Thank you John. I really appreciate your reading and commenting it means a lot. She must be precious. Children are such a blessing. She is a smart child ahead of her time. Love to you and your family. ❤️🤗😘Joni

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      2. Well blessings to you my friend and hopefully life is a happier place now. Thank you so much for your visit. I will get to your site sometime today. Hugs and love to you ❤️🤗😘🦋

  26. You have such a powerful way with words. Unfortunately I have experience some of the scenes describe in your poem. Perhaps it’s because I also grew up in a alcoholic home . Sending caring hugs and love your way Joni🤗❤️

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    1. Thank you for this loving comment. I am so sorry that you lived in a similar situation my friend. Truly my heart goes out to you. My site started out as an Adult Child of Alcoholic (ACOA) site. I still do many poems on line related to what my world was like living as an ACOA hoping to help even one person to be able to know that they were and are not alone. There are unfortunately millions of us out there and the reality is that we had an extremely traumatic childhood. Those of us who survived are not only warriors but we are blessed. Thank you so much for sharing this with me as well. Bless you sweetie. Have an amazing day, I am so glad you are here. Love you, Joni

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      1. You are doing wonderful work through your blog and poems. The world need amazing warriors like you. Thank you dear Joni! Stay safe and sending love and blessings back your way❤️

      2. You are a sweetheart, so grateful we found each other here. Thank you for your love and blessings I can feel your kindness. Love Joni xoxoxox

    1. Thank you for that beautiful compliment. Very kind of you my friend. Hope you are up for an amazing weekend. Sending you lots of love and hugs. Hoping your weekend is filled with happy thoughts and lots of fun. xoxoxox Love Joni

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      1. You are most welcome sweet Joni. What an extraordinary composition! Wow! Bigger hugs I send to you! )))💗💗💗((( Have a wonderful Saturday!

      2. Thank you for such kind comments, it means a lot. I love big hugs and I am sending some back. I have had a relaxing Saturday. Thank you my friend for your kindnesses. ❤️🤗😘💕☕️☕️☕️🦋🦋Love Joni

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