The Belt

It hung there on a nail
It was made of leather
We were only children

We thought we were clever.

We knew daddy worked nights
We knew daddy slept in the day
We knew not to make loud noises

Each time we went out to play.

We knew we were in trouble
When we heard that screen door slam
We heard him holler our names

So we did the next best thing; we ran.

We heard you better stop
If I catch you it will be worse
There he was swinging that belt

Every other word was a curse.

We all heard it will hurt me
More than this will hurt you
It seems he took more liking

Than the pain we went through.

Sometimes we would play tug-o-war
Waiting to see how he would react
He didn't care where he would swing

Whether it was our legs, butt, or backs.

Sure we pushed daddy to his limits
It was almost like we were asking for it
I don't think we fully learned our lesson

In our memory banks is where we stored it.

It hung there on a nail
We all took different paths
We were only children
But surely felt its wrath.

by:James W. Mckay
June 12, 2023

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

We never got the belt. Maybe the back of a soft slipper now and then. Still stung like hell. That was the so called norm in those days. Never did me any harm but neither did it do much good. I suppose seeing the belt hanging on the nail, could act as a deterrent. You took me on a nostalgia trip James.

Chris

[James Mckay]

Yeah my daddy believed in it and mama didn't but we still turned out okay

[Vol]

James,
My father was similar in his choice of disciplinary apparatus. We too pushed him to his limits. Today, I appreciate every episode and learned a great deal about how to get along in life. The possible difference was, my father never spanked us when he was angry. we disobeyed, did something stupid, or disrespectful and he sent us to our room; fifteen minutes later, he would have had a chance to evaluate his response, the need for us to know better, and what his best course of action should be. A little later he would explain himself, give us a hug, say how much he loved us and sent us on our way. If it was a spanking, we went round and round just as you describe. It was noisy and chaotic, and also traumatic enough to truly teach us a lesson. From my adult viewpoint, I now realize it only SEEMED to hurt, and he never left us bruised. As a result, I feel I have a pretty good perspective about the nature of justice, and have always stayed out of unnecessary trouble.
Vol

[W. Barrett Munn]

I noticed you’re from San Antonio. I have 3 poems that will be published in the San Antonio Review in August.
I liked how you used end rhyme in this one; it felt natural and unforced.

Winston

[James Mckay]

Yes sir, born and raised. Congratulations on all your success with your poetry and Thank you so much

[John the Baptist]

Spare the rod and spoil the child, went the old saying. I must wonder how many children were spoiled, in different ways, by the overzealous application of rods and belts.

[James Mckay]

I agree. I may have had my share of whoopin's but I didn't get ticked off and grab a gun and go on a rampage.

[willweb]

My memory banks keep a few similar images in place just to remind me to be good. : )

[James Mckay]

I heard that brother