ALL YOU DIMINISH

For you, I carry heavy issues difficult to bear;
varied themes with bleary depths as carved by you.
You want me to dismiss all darkness you name light,
to secure your pride’s weight in my ocean of shame
and declare aloud your behooved truths are priceless.
There are no limits to all that you diminish
in me when holding me immobile for your use,
to move me around as your desires so choose.
You know I struggle to be free from your rules,
you have read my clues but are completely immune. 

Floating as tossed in your issues, I feel ropes securing
agitation upon all my twisted, pushed and pulled guilt.
You intend to keep me crippled in this fashion.
I often tread in my dream threads wishing to swim  
far away from the darkness you always fasten.
Someday, I will lose you as a nightmare captain.
Yes, I will disengage, I will make that truth happen.
You will sink or swim in seas you cannot harm or please,
that roll aloof despite your achieved skills to control
and I will thrive living a sanity scrolled, honest life.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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12
Ashley Avatar
October 18, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Dearest CayCay, soulful poet, your golden pen spills a potent and poignant verse. The heart aching imagery portrays a controlling narcissist, a “nightmare captain”, and conveys your desire to break free. Congratulations for the many accolades garnered by this poem, but especially for your success in Mark’s contest. I’m honored to share the podium with you, my gifted poet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Dietrich Avatar
October 16, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Big congrats, Caycay. I gave you good advice at least this time !!
Toney Avatar
October 16, 2025 at 9:38 AM
CayCay, your free-verse poem is honest, raw, and speaks with quiet strength about breaking free from someone who manipulates and controls others. A Fav poem for me. Congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 21 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 22 has already started.
Radice Avatar
October 16, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Very clever and beautifully constructed Cay Cay. I note it was entered and placed in Craig's 'killick' contest and received POTD. Congrats to you for the recognition that your excellent poem has earned and rightly deserved. Cheers - Gary
Jones Avatar
October 16, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Wonderfully written and deserving of a win! Congratulations Cay Cay! I see Andrea has spotted it on a favorable list as well last month!
Dietrich Avatar
September 19, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Wow. This is number 11 on best new poems. This could go on the "list". Wink wink.
Miller Avatar
September 10, 2025 at 3:03 AM
A powerful verse CayCay and written in a style I wish I could achieve, congratulations on your placement and POTD
Puddifoot Avatar
September 6, 2025 at 4:58 AM
enjoyed reading your interpretation of the killick theme - congrats on your placement in craig's contest, and i see it was also potd so double congrats!
Onclaud Avatar
August 26, 2025 at 4:32 PM
bold and beautiful it deserves a potd award, cay! sweet congrats and huggs
Gentile Avatar
August 25, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Belated congratulations CayCay! No there words - just BRILLIANT! I feel every word and so look forward to their realization! Happy Monday xxoo
M  Avatar
August 21, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Brilliant write CayCay so deserving of POTD…..Debx
Baker Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Congratulations on your fine POTD honor, CayCay! Enjoy your special day of recognition. Your poet friend in Texas. Hugs, Bill
Crandall Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Congratulations, belatedly. I really liked this phrase "someday, I will lose you as a nightmare captain". Uniquely expressed as usual.
Hind Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Wow. For some reason I checked POTD this evening. Congrats!! You know I love this poem. <3
Buhagiar Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Wonderful. This poem is a pure delight. A POTD for my dear friend from far away. Poetry hugs.
Nicole Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 2:20 PM
' You intend to keep me crippled in this fashion, holding me immobile for your use. ' Many have gone through this/or they're going through it. Breaking the chains that bind is difficult at times, but it must be done. This thought bring a smile. ' I will disengage, I will make that truth happen. ' That's the way it should be. Many wonderful blessings to you, CayCay. Congratulations on Poem of the Day. Hugs, Brandy
Fleming Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Whew! Hell of a write, CayCay. Both gutsy and gritty - good stuff! :) john
Alhemaidy Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Great write! I love its end, last line :-) Congratulations on your p.o.t.d. Have a wonderful day ~ hugs AA
Buehler Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Love this awesome poem, CayCay! Congratulations on POTD. Best wishes. :)
Anaya Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Congratulations on POTD! You surely have the insight and boldness to divest yourself, body and soul. from this anchor of obtuse sensibility pulling you down in a vise-like grip. Arise, be assertive, breath deeply and live! Imagery is palpable could'nt help but be moved. Praying it's fiction. Poetry hugs__Anaya at the Library :D
Goldsmith Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Congratulations on your POTD win. I enjoyed reading your wonderful/powerful "Killick Dream Threads" write. Have a blessed day with your wonderful win.......
Dietrich Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Caycay, I especially like the second stanza of this one, in which you use the metaphor of a captain to capture even greater the effect of the killick image. The title is so interesting too. big congrats on POTD. I never notice those things unless i am told of them. You succeeded with a very difficult contest challenge.
Wolf Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 8:46 AM
POTD - Say, hey! ~ Willie Mays, the 'Say Hey Kid'... Way to go, CayCay.
Rodgers Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Dear CayCay, Your voice is so strong in this piece, even when describing feeling powerless. That tells me everything about who you really are underneath whatever situation inspired this. You're a survivor, a truth-teller, and honestly? A really good poet. Keep writing, keep breaking free, keep being the incredible person you are. Congrats on POTD! Blessings, Dear CayCay, Daniel
Messina Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Wonderful writing, CayCay. Congratulations on POTD!
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