you can feel the air pressure drop
before the storms of his moods sweep in
and he delivers a dissertation from memory
on the subject of my stupidity, without ever hitting me
he’ll hurl a plate or two that by fortune just misses the dog
then promises to try anger management or some damn thing
it’s hell to look in the mirror each day
and even harder to leave, when he never hits me
but my gut's still queasy from last night
so I almost hit him
Author notes
Option #5. Stains On The Mind's Windowsill
A contest entry
- PiF PROMPT CONTEST by penman.
625 points, ended May 24, 2008, 10 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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I forgot!
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This bring tears to the ears and makes the heart sting with memories of pains long inflicted and scarred over, but never completely healed. What a sad write.
TxCowgirl -
Thoughts such as this are never pleasant to run across but worse yet, knowing actions such as this run rampant in society today is even scarier. Verbal abuse is something the mind has a hard time turning away and running from. Like honey to the comb, it sticks and thickens and builds. Great poem.
JLG -
I don't know what I would do in a situation like this. My gut instinct would be to run because that has always been my way of dealing with crisis. All I do know is that violence begats violence and it doesn't go away by itself. Obviously the host appreciated your insight as do I. Congratulations on the silver.
Sincerely,
Leo Long
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This one almost snuck by me! A sad write. I could feel the hurt and conflict! To stay or go. Both seem painful. Definitely deserving of your trophy for this one lady!
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Wonderful
Very well done. Best of luck in the contest.
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aw so sad, so much of this goes on all to often, good luck with your write in the contest.
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Tragedy
It is better to be bruised, bruises go away.
Than to have a tortured mind, it stay with one a life time.
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EVER SO SAD!!
There are many families like this and one tends to put with so much from the one they love just to have a life together. One must answer their own heart though and do what will make the heart glad.
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ah love and war - the battles that engage us at times. no one said it was going to be an easy ride with life and love.
a good poem.
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"So I almost hit him"
So much not said within these words. In six lines you describe the scenario - in four lines you summarise a book of pain, anger, frustration, fear and despondence. The title is striking, but the contents of the poem gives it meaning [life].
I come away
sad, brewing with anger
and wanting to shout:
"Get out" -
Know that
there is life
beyond the stains of the mind.
You have depicted this so well within this poem.
Frans
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I agree with the below comment, but almost worse than a hit in my opinion, because you feel like you can't leave. Which is not true.
Personally, when I have been treated like this in the past, I would have far preferred to be hit. A powerfully emotional write. Good luck in the contest.
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Thoughtfully dark but rich in meaning... I've a friend who recently went through this... the loss of trust and fear of the unknown is as bad as a hit... Wonderful write! Good luck in the contest...
Ken
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