Curled safely
inside pretty
protective shell.
Imprisoned by
her personal hell.
She is Satan tormenting
only herself.
Soul screaming
at deafening decibels.
Pressing palms of
small hands to ears.
Still so loud.
Battlefield of the
heart
soul
and mind.
Wishing to speak
but simply cannot.
Cloak of secrecy
blinding her eyes.
Dank depression quickly
setting in.
Burning away
all hope
with it's foul
stench.
Wishing for a
confidant
protector
and friend.
No one to talk to.
No one seemed to care.
Spectators see
him beat her
and they gawk
and stare.
Silent society
teaching shame.
Curling tighter
into her
protective shell.
Wishing her
personal demons
could be tamed.
Author notes
I chose to write from the perspective of the silence that torments a lot of battered women. I went through this at one point in my life. I was so filled with shame that I didn't feel like I could tell anyone. I literally became a prisoner in my own home because if I had visible marks on my flesh, I would not allow anyone to see me. There were several times that our neighbors saw him beat me, and they didn't even call the police. They stood by and did nothing to protect me. I kept it all a secret from my family and I lost friends. The silent prison of a battered woman is a horrible one, and often the only pardon is death.
In a list
A contest entry
- The sound of silence by Moonlit-Reveries.
450 points, ended February 24, 2007, 36 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Abuse: Many Types, Many Options, Many Results by xxRainbowDawnxx.
300 points, ended March 20, 2007, 54 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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Sometimes we feel safer in our own little shell where nobody can get to us and nobody will be able to hurt us anymore... I wish I could find myself a hole to snuggle down in.
♥ -
Great topic choice and you told your story beautifully. I can relate to silence and shame personally being trapped in silence because of shame. It's very sad that our society teaches this. This poem also speaks of a lot of sexual abuse where shame is often very high.
This is a great piece. My only suggestion would be that you divide it up into separate stanzas rather than one long one.
I'd put a break between the 12th and 13th lines and perhaps one a bit later.
Very nice poem you have here.
Thanks for entering this and best of luck in my contest. -
AWESOME WRITE,!
A tremendously moving,and skillful write. The topic is one of living in the shell of a private world of abuse,loneliness,the painting so wonderfully reflects the poem,but the poet puts in all in words." curled safely inside her pretty protective shell imprisoned by her own personal hell" How more expressive can one get it in describing the abused woman? The whole poem is abundant with the imagery that accompanies truth, lies, shame and the whole package called abuse.."curling tighter into her protective shell..even as the poem ends...she wants deliverance from her plight....Hiding and silence are not the answers...A prolific work....a Masterpiece! -
powerful and outstanding
such a shame that "silence" is in too many homes. How the torment is terrible and the price is awful...all for love? what others do to survive...mindboggling...this write opens up the eyes and is thought provoking...awesome write...smile....hugs and love...David
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Yay!
Strange neighbors. Were they indifferent for some reason (part of the culture at the time, etc.), fearful themselves, distrustful of the police, etc. That is, what was their motivation? Do you understand them now? Forgive them?
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Damn; this is terribly dark and humanly distressing. You penned it very well in regard to flow and structure. The image is foreboding and distressing. Why don’t you take the rest of the day off and drink a lot?
Love, Amera
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