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Crawlspace

I’ve been trying to suppress it— Haven’t you noticed? There’s a pulse inside that must stay inside There’s a crawlspace where I keep you as mine I’ve been trying to kill it— The feelings, they’re overwhelming We’ve started a collection here, And I know you want to get out I’ve been trying to convince you— That this is your home, But you know the monster better than she knows herself “Leave him alone”, a voice cries, “just leave him alone!” Let him find the escape latch on his own I’m not a monster till you proclaim it I made this space for the two of us! I don’t have claws—I don’t have sharp teeth I simply have you And you simply have me I’ve been trying to move on— Since the day you stopped moving “Haven’t you noticed?” A judgmental voice queries, “There’s no more room for you here!!!” I’m not alone, no…. I refuse to believe you! Get out! Get out of our house! He’s here with me… He’s talking to me… He keeps saying, “Leave me alone! Just leave me alone!” As if you stuffed the very words into his skull Yet look!—he’s now but dust and bones Evicted, restricted, and convicted… Don’t you understand? Don’t you get it? From the very beginning I left him alone. . .

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016




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Date: 7/4/2016 10:54:00 AM
Interesting bit of claustrophobia, Laura. I'm with Andrea in thinking it was about refusing to let go of someone whom you loved in the past ... but I can see the abortion connection as well (perhaps even stronger) after reading Silent's comment. Disturbing poem ... but it does inspire some deep reflection.
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Laura Breidenthal
Date: 7/5/2016 3:12:00 PM
Definitely claustrophobic & disturbing Timothy, you're right, and thank you for your thoughts...this poem is really about neglect, bitter love, and pushing someone to the last of their limits, till they are dead inside. Could be taken literally or figuratively though - I like to leave it to the reader. Thanks again! <3~Laura
Date: 6/30/2016 10:10:00 PM
I was reading what others thought down here. I did take it to be some type of lover. And maybe he thinks you can't get rid of the ghost of another. I bet it would be fantastic to hear it read!!
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Laura Breidenthal
Date: 7/5/2016 3:09:00 PM
Thanks so much, Andrea. I was really considering recording it. Hehe. Maybe I will, before my membership thingy expires, lol.<3~Laura
Date: 6/25/2016 7:20:00 AM
Oh that gave me chills..."Yet look!—he’s now but dust and bones Evicted, restricted, and convicted…" great writing Laura.
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Laura Breidenthal
Date: 6/25/2016 2:08:00 PM
Thanks for reading, Casarah. I was going to do a recording for this one in particular, though I feel the tone can be taken differently for each reader and I dpnt want to lose that. It is quite chilling re reading this. <3~Laura

Book: Shattered Sighs