Trapped Breath

Written: August 07, 2025, for contest Sponsored by: Mark Toney *********** Corset of steel tightens—ratified pain, Vestigial breath trapped in ischemia thrall. The ductile hope failed to placate This Pyrrhic ache, this woebegone gall. A sojourn in the squalor of soul, Where sylphlike dreams maunder, downcast. Ogle the embers of the miraculous nexus— A seraphic visage lost, quickly. Vivacious once, now virile with woe, Panacea tastes of pabulum, slipshod, and cold. Tinkling memories coruscate as zeugma— Bright, yet untoward, they never hold. Quixotic penchant for connection, Grasping too late the nebula beneath. What puissance is this—this throe, this tumult— When tulle-wrapped love meets a gyre of grief? Ululation beneath pavonine skies, Adumbrate every glance, every sigh. Crimson weave keeps a skirt in place, Valuable, stained, adorned, and slain.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025


Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 8/13/2025 6:59:00 PM
Well thought out and written with great intensity and contrast. I enjoyed your thoughts on unnecessary struggle and your use of metaphor. Your vocabulary is impressive and well used throughout. Good luck in the contest, my dear friend. Bill
Login to Reply
Date: 8/9/2025 1:57:00 AM
Great penmanship, amazing use of vocabulary and very intense metaphors, reflecting the inner turmoil. Lofty diction, demanding more than one reading. All the Best, dear Lasaad!
Login to Reply
Date: 8/7/2025 4:45:00 PM
I can feel an intense conflict as I read this poem. I especially liked: "Quixotic penchant for connection," the contrast between quixotic and penchant speaks volumes. Although I needed to read it a couple of times, I found your poem compelling and engaging. have a pleasant evening, dear Sotto.
Login to Reply
Date: 8/7/2025 10:29:00 AM
This is a strenuous, dare I say beautiful struggle captured in verse—a poem that doesn't comfort, but confronts. Its layered diction, heavy symbolism, and intense emotional drive speak to inner turmoil, longing, and the bloodied beauty of grief. It's not easy reading—but emotionally rich and compelling.
Login to Reply
Date: 8/7/2025 3:02:00 AM
waw, so impressive alliterations, this is a wonderful poem to hear and read; one of the best, bravo poet
Login to Reply
Date: 8/7/2025 2:21:00 AM
Is this from Greek philosophies? Great vocabulary use. Each line a masterpiece, really. Wonder if it's not placed first.
Login to Reply
Date: 8/7/2025 2:13:00 AM
Beautifully haunting—your language is rich and intense, like grief wrapped in silk. Every line feels deliberate. Loved it.
Login to Reply
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter