Wednesday, August 19, 2020

WEP- Shadows


SHADOWS 

Was it love, my dear...
your words of criticism?

If so,
why do they still torment?

Like a faithful companion,
your declarations
envelope me.

Hateful and mean.

Destructive and debilitating.

Unshakable - everlasting.

No matter how I try
to shake their hold
they follow and pounce.

In sadness and gloom
I commiserate.

You’ve cast your words of love
in an ever-oppressing haze
where secretly I wallow.

For the world must never know
the true depth of your hate.

Or that you killed my essence
and left
just a shadow.

Yolanda Renée (C) 2020














49 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Ouch.
Whoever it was who said that sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me was a complete stranger to the truth.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Yes, words can really hurt. Actions too.

Sanhita Mukherjee said...

Mesmerising. You've made hate a shadow of love. Unlike sticks and stones words cannot break bones. Yet, words are not lame and they can do harm. They can break relationships.

Jemi Fraser said...

Powerful!
Words wrapped within emotions and abuse cause so much harm.

Sally said...

This hit a nerve - sometimes you don't realise what is happening until you look back. Great writing.

cleemckenzie said...

This really touched me, Renee! Loved the imagery and it was perfect for the theme this month.

Christopher Scott Author said...

Words surpass the weight possessed by stones. Well done, Yolanda.

Bernadette said...

Ouch. Sometimes people forget that words are mightier than weapons.

Olga Godim said...

Oh, that's so sad. Sometimes, critique coming from the people we love and trust can be debilitating.

Jemima Pett said...

That's really sad. ... and I'd be repeating other people's comments, so I'll stop there.

Donna Hanton said...

Wow! Powerful, and painfully close to a nerve. Great writing!

L.G. Keltner said...

This is a haunting and powerful poem! It's sad how many people can relate to this. Words can cut far deeper than many realize.

Ornery Owl of Naughty Netherworld Press and Readers Roost said...

I've been in that kind of relationship. This resonates with me all too well.
Naughty Netherworld Press

Sonia Dogra said...

This was heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. How these shadows of subtle abuse never leave us. Very well brought out.

Nilanjana Bose said...

Words can be sharp knives, their cuts take a longer time to heal than those inflicted by steel ones. Brilliant!

Pat Garcia said...

Hi,
I like this. It shows the shadow of a woman who has lost the reason to live.
Wonderfully portrayed.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia

Kalpana said...

The layers within a poisonous relationship powerfully portrayed by your poem.

Susan B.Rouchard said...

Thanks Yolanda. Poetry is the answer this month. Happy WEP week.

Denise Covey said...

Renee, this is so powerful. I LOVE IT! Hurt can bring out the best writing, not that that's much consolation. Those last two stanzas, wow.

'For the world must never know
the true depth of your hate.

Or that you killed my essence
and left
just a shadow.'

If this person killed your essence...reclaim it with serious intent. No one should mess with our essence, although it does cast a long shadow.

21 Wits said...

Your capture is incredible, and your words and quest does deserve high credits and an answer!

Toi Thomas said...

Great take on the prompt. I feel the imagery, the shadow of what should have been love, all harsh words turned into hate. Nicely done. Powerful.

c.stolz@hopeforfreedom.de said...

Brilliant. In German, the word for slander is „Rufmord“ = character assassination, or, literally, „reputation-murder“. Here the murder is devastatingly clear. Painful to read but very well done.

Jamie said...

Powerful! Love it.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Yolanda - you've certainly captured the cruelty of abuse - and now there must be so much going on ... and I thought the way you described the way she felt, and her loss of herself as very powerful ...
"Or that you killed my essence
and left
just a shadow."

I hope many can get through this era - I know some have managed to escape in the past ... but the shadow will always be there ...

You certainly gave us uncomfortable food for thought ... control by others is not welcome - take care and all the best to you - Hilary

desk49 said...

A story well told, yet
shadows hide deep within
What one thought was love
should have never been

The love that was destroyed
it is truly a sin
for if they break free
few will love again

Yolanda Renée said...

So true, Sue. So true!

Yolanda Renée said...

Exactly!

Yolanda Renée said...

Yes, exactly. Thanks, Sanhita!

Yolanda Renée said...

Very true, Jemi. Most of the time bullying is just that!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Sally!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you, Lee, appreciate that!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you, Christopher!

Yolanda Renée said...

Yes, they do. Thanks, Bernadette!

Yolanda Renée said...

It sure is, especially when said over and over again!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Jemima!

Yolanda Renée said...

Extremely close, thank you, Donna!

Yolanda Renée said...

Yes, it's very sad. Thanks, Laura!

Yolanda Renée said...

I'm sorry you suffered so. Thanks, Ornery Owl!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you, Sonia for your kind words!

Yolanda Renée said...

Sometimes the don't heal, but remain open wounds that weep and destroy a life. Thanks, Nila!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you, Pat, she is a very wounded creature!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you, Kalpana!

Yolanda Renée said...

Poetry should be the answer any time. Thanks, Susan!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you, Denise that means a lot. Some wounds refuse to heal, especially when the person keeps rubbing those wounds raw!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you, Toi, that means a lot!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you, that's interesting information!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you, Jamie!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you, Hilary, appreciate your words and understanding!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you, your words always amaze!