I Shy Away From Hugs

my first hug
was not from my father.

it was from that man
with a hanging tongue.

it was dirty.
he had no heart
but a knife.

since then i shy away from hugs.
youth cannot forget.
what it buries, rises from the grave.

i face it with hatred.
i am a grown up man now.

there are no more hugs
since then.

poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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