In Denial
It’s more common that most folk think.
Here where the end of nowhere starts
In the land of shattered hearts
Deploying vibrant verbs,
Smiling insincere syllables
To concerned friends
‘Fine thank you’
‘I’ve moved away ‘
‘Finally free’
I can’t lie to me
Others I may deceive
They may believe
But in my hollow heart
The echo of my lies resound
Rebound
Off the barren walls
Of a seared soul seeking release
The nights fruitlessly fending uncles
With wandering hands
Brothers selling me to others
Begging clemency
Receiving none
I weep in tortured sleep
Tell the world I’m fine
As I head towards the railway line
© pronto 2023
Views: 2882
Holds a flag up in a world that is in denial to the abuse that exists in every society.
True Cooky there’s a lot of it about. Thanks for commenting .
The stark simplicity of this telling; the run down the page, fact after fact, detail after detail: the sparsity of punctuation – all add up to an extremely effective piece. Your technique and presentation searingly portray the bleakness, despair, feelings of unworthiness, loneliness and lack of hope in this young girl/woman. For me, the most poignant lines: I can’t lie to me And, your ending: As I head towards the railway line There are two possible meanings in that. She’s either moving on. And on. And on. Running away from herself and her shame. Or it may be the only… Read more »
Thanks Belcanto for your in depth appreciation of my poem. I’m honoured that it touched you. I know it’s a dark subject but our job as poet is surely to shine a light into all the corners of existence. Even the dark ones.
I left the ending ominous and yet I hope open to interpretation by the reader. The “off” I did consider the jury’s still out!
Luv & hugz,
Tony
I know it’s a dark subject… Yes. I have several dark pieces which others on WABD have seen before. Most reader reaction to these poems in the past has caused me to believe my work on this kind of subject often leaves many people feeling very uncomfortable. They don’t know what to say. How to express any kind of response. But then I tend to write in very strong descriptive language. This is why I thanked you for posting In Denial,Tony. You’re inspiring me to publish one of them next Friday as a ‘response’ poem to yours, dontcha know? 🙂… Read more »
I look forward to reading it Bel.
Fabulous! The last line made the poem. The silent murderer of a child’s innocent soul. A special place in hell awaits those who do such things.
Bravo.
Alison x
Thank you Alison. I agree.