Notes About The Poem

                      

Abyss

In deepest, darkest depths of my despair
I find myself without a saving grace. 
A pendulum of pain prevents my prayer
from rising upward through the dead of space.

Within these walls a war where no one wins 
repeats itself just like a worn-out rhyme. 
No swain should e’er succumb to swinish sins, 
for he who does the crime must do the time. 

And yet there was a time I loved her true, 
and in those days we dreamt without restraint. 
These merry memories now make me rue 
a life I should have lived with more constraint. 

For now, I dwell inside this cursed abyss, 
a mournful soul who misses her sweet kiss.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2023



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12
Date: 9/14/2025 4:26:00 PM
"Negative comments will result in your account being banned" - hmmm... long time no see. Enjoyed this ditty. My house isn't that bad. Especially when you learn to see down here. But I know what you were aiming for. "Swain should never succumb to swinish sins" Subjective, think it would sound better. An opinion from a phantom. Thanks for sharing.
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Marchand Avatar
Bea Marchand
Date: 9/15/2025 4:26:00 AM
My email had to be deleted. Restart, guess I put my nose where it didn't belong. Smelt the Titan Arum... And still retains meter actually. You have 'e'er' and 'no' - could remove O, slide the N over and return the V. I see 'eer' when I read it. Threw me off... was a suggestion. Not an axiom. Perspective.
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 9/14/2025 5:01:00 PM
Beatrix? It would lose the meter
Date: 8/31/2025 5:07:00 PM
Regrets of love lost and heartache are one of our most powerful emotions. It comes out in several of your poem, Tom. I remember it in one of your songs. You describe it so well - hopefully not from personal experience. Excellent sonnet!
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Tom Woody
Date: 9/1/2025 6:09:00 PM
Oh I've been there for sure. Thx Mark
Date: 8/16/2025 12:04:00 PM
Dear Tom, it’s pleasure to return to reread this potent poem where there is no greater hell than the hell that one creates for one’s self. Congratulations for your success in Mark’s contest. I’m honored to share the podium with you, my poet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Suze
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/16/2025 1:43:00 PM
Thx Suze
Date: 8/13/2025 8:47:00 PM
Dear Tom, happy to see you win in the Marathon race. Congratulations friend. Keep running. Bravo!
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 8/14/2025 4:51:00 AM
Appreciate you stopping by
Date: 8/13/2025 6:59:00 PM
Congratulations on your placement in the marathon, run on, run on! Good job
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 8/14/2025 4:51:00 AM
Thx much
Date: 8/13/2025 5:45:00 PM
Oh, the gray emotions truly grabbed me and landed me in the abyss. Very effective penned emotion. Congratulations on your placement in the contest. You may not like contest but many of them sure do like you! Just messin' w/ cha. Poetry hugs ... CayCay
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/13/2025 5:48:00 PM
Like I've said before I'll play with the toys that are available until better ones are provided. Thx cay
Date: 8/13/2025 11:10:00 AM
Well done, Sir. Beautiful vulnerable sonnet deserving a placing.x.
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 8/13/2025 1:16:00 PM
Coo. Thx
Date: 8/13/2025 10:39:00 AM
A superb English sonnet, Tom, with awesome alliteration. Congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 6 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 7 has already started.
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/13/2025 1:16:00 PM
Thx
Date: 2/20/2025 11:32:00 AM
Compelled by the captivated soul who yearns for silence and peace of mind. Published,congrats, Tommy
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Anaya Avatar
I Am Anaya
Date: 2/20/2025 12:27:00 PM
;)
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 2/20/2025 11:41:00 AM
And a restored relationship, which ain't happening. Thx for visit
Date: 12/3/2024 1:32:00 PM
Gosh have I read about everything you have written by now? Anyway, this is beautifully written. You have a good grasp of the sonnet meter. Nicely done
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Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/1/2025 9:55:00 PM
Also I see this got published. What an honor. When I was a few years into writing and submitting sonnets to a reputable magazine, the editor cruelly tore me to pieces and basically told me I would never amount to anything. 23 years ago and she still leaves me feeling bitter.
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 12/3/2024 1:37:00 PM
Haha I just don't write much. Tried to write for Inky's breathe contest but it wouldn't come. Haven't felt motivated. Thx
Date: 12/23/2023 12:43:00 PM
Beautiful piece of work, sir!
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 12/23/2023 1:35:00 PM
Thx much. Pretty happy with this one
Date: 10/17/2023 7:55:00 AM
A captive soul ... how well many know.Beautiful and I long for Paradise, and it's heavenly bliss. Beautiful
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 11/12/2023 2:57:00 PM
Me too Barbara
Date: 10/15/2023 9:05:00 AM
Your words drip atmosphere. An excellent read. Cheers - Gary
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Tom Woody
Date: 11/12/2023 2:56:00 PM
Much thx Gary
Date: 10/9/2023 8:18:00 AM
Dear Tom, your English sonnet is rich with deep-reaching emotion expressed in lovely lilting meter. I adore dark sonnets and admire your poetic skill and artistry in creating this captivating piece. Congratulations for your poem's publication. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 10/9/2023 8:21:00 AM
Much thx you input means a ton to me
Date: 9/20/2023 9:09:00 AM
I enjoyed reading this, the sonnet fits perfectly with the image. -AG
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 9/20/2023 9:37:00 AM
Thank you. I always enjoy a well chosen supplement photo
Date: 9/4/2023 9:40:00 AM
Masterfully done to perfection. Classical in simplicity and depth of content!
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 9/9/2023 10:35:00 AM
Thx so much Frances
Date: 9/2/2023 6:05:00 AM
love this, Tom, and thanks for reading miine. xx
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 9/2/2023 6:06:00 AM
Yes, it was my pleasure
Date: 8/23/2023 8:04:00 AM
I love the alliteration throughout and the strong emotion conveyed. I can see why this masterpiece got published!
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 8/23/2023 9:43:00 AM
Appreciated Juliet
Date: 8/23/2023 7:31:00 AM
Tom, what a lovely, moving sonnet you have penned! Janice
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 8/23/2023 9:43:00 AM
Thank you Janice
Date: 8/18/2023 3:36:00 PM
Superb, Tom.
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 8/18/2023 3:45:00 PM
Thx Mark
Date: 8/17/2023 12:25:00 PM
Well written. Powerful! Congratulations :)
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 8/17/2023 12:31:00 PM
Much thx Heidi
Date: 8/15/2023 2:37:00 PM
A powerful write/picture. I enjoyed it. Have a great day.............
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 8/15/2023 2:45:00 PM
U2 Paula
Date: 8/15/2023 12:43:00 PM
Wow congratulations on getting published. And well you write sonnets just effortlessly. Those alliterations flow so seamlessly and the depth of this write is impeccable. “ pendulum of pain prevents my prayer” i love that! Pendulum of pain is so creative and the rhymes here used are unique! Intriguing write and reality we all see but sometimes not talk about we’ll delivered kingy
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 8/15/2023 12:58:00 PM
Much thanks Inky. Most of what I've posted so far is stuff you've seen before but I appreciate the generous compliment
Date: 8/14/2023 9:04:00 PM
Repentance and confession.... ! What is done cannot be undone. Still you can build on what is destroyed with saving grace. A beautiful sonnet ! Congratulations on your recognition, Tom.
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/15/2023 5:17:00 AM
Much thx Valsa for reading
Date: 8/14/2023 10:50:00 AM
Congrats on your accomplishment and recognition! - Gail
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 8/14/2023 10:54:00 AM
Thank you Gail
12
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