Apologies and Roses

we don’t appreciate
the sun until it r a i n s,
warmth of gentle rays
that subtly stroke
distressed skin
 when time was f r o z e n 
   smiles were s t o l e n
and hope yet again
      remains b r o k e n…
whilst I’m lying here
in the in-betweens of 
     procrastinated promises 
along bitter breezes~
you use your poetic
words as a weapon,
oppressing the guardians
around my dreams, 
oblivious to the 
translucent truth
laced in trimmed nylon,
that you and me
we’re made of
the same s t o n e
we wear the same
crown of t h o r n s
sitting on the throne
of darkness, full of
stainless steel cages
and chain link fences,
turning 
  these emotions
into 
   cancerous tumors,
knocking on your
conscience, patronizing
the pigments of
  my petal-like palette
by questioning
your own roots..
but now I’ve got feathers 
in my bleeding heart,
and if these crimson wings
could fly, you’ll find me
  soaring  above seas
  of solitude, that pushed
    me down to an abyss
    of n o t h i n g n e s s.

watch me unlock
the keys of jasmine doors
to seek serendipity surrender, 
as my muse serenades
rainbow reveries,
amidst faded stars 
and moonless nights 
which
gaslit my 
  apologies and roses. 
I have tried
   to twirl through
ravenous ravens in a
carnival of carnivores 
you’ve fed my mind
labelling me
as the serpent q u e e n
     with twisted words,
whilst you whirl around 
  with 
   ghosts of p o e t r y
in your 
    cathartic h a z e..
your love
is a hand grenade
   that shattered my aching
bones into scattered
s m o k e and f o g

they say
the biggest hearts
are the 
   biggest targets,
and the rifles you hold,
seems to have
my name engraved in
    blood-soaked tears…
so, now that you’ve
pulled the trigger,
how would you stop
       the ammo? 
Will you remain forever
in your 
    unbending silence
a false humility 
   disguised
as k i n d n e s s
that flickers glitter,
to ascend brighter
as the bullet settles 
upon my spine, halting
me from movement? 
Or will you watch me
 c r a w l back to the
spheres where I belong? 
for I refuse to rot
as a victim of an
unwritten circumstance.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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Parker Avatar
March 21, 2024 at 8:12 AM
Shades and shadows can wrap around the soul like a cacoon that hangs on a bare limb of reality waiting to escape to become a butterfly...my first thought after reading your poem, dear poet
Ibeh Avatar
February 10, 2024 at 10:12 AM
Very intense and powerful piece, Inky! It's a masterpiece and an instant fave. Congratulations on your top win in my contest!
Empress Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 6:59 AM
Dear EI i appreciate your support so very much and fave too thank you so very much truly for being so encouraging and for feeling and appreciating my metaphors always. Im grateful for your poetic presence. Sending you and your family light always
Thacker Avatar
February 9, 2024 at 2:26 PM
This is perhaps one my most favorite poems that I've read on Soup thus far. The emotion and fierceness would convey well as spoken word. Very powerful. I loved it, Empress!
Dietrich Avatar
January 31, 2024 at 10:14 PM
So lovely. And the use of sounds makes it all the better.
Beaufort Avatar
January 31, 2024 at 6:36 PM
The suffering described here seems very intense. It helps to be treated with kindness (like we all do on this site) even if there is something wrong to be dealt with. When we do not resist (you resist here), then we would hand over all power to our criticizer. That is something to try not to do as you proclaim. I find it very hard to put hurtful criticism to bed from someone I trust. So, I have started expressing my feelings without being too critical--a very hard lesson to apply.
Hind Avatar
January 31, 2024 at 1:14 PM
Definitely a fav. Such powerful diction. My heart wants to reach out to you as I read. "Grenade on aching bones smoke and fog"- heavy, deep. Lots of light, dear unforgettable poetess!
Anaya Avatar
January 29, 2024 at 10:53 AM
"We wear the same crown of thorns, sitting on the throne of darkness, full of stainless steel cages and chain link fences, in a paper kingdom" dramatic, sent chills down my spine! Empress indeed, you have stated your case, hurrah! I too feel your pain, but Mike below has said it so well...Love & Light forever, Ink ~Anaya
Empress Avatar
January 29, 2024 at 10:54 AM
Awwn thank you i appreciate you so very much always dear kind anaya you are truly a gem
Gentile Avatar
January 29, 2024 at 4:50 AM
Your muse will deliver you from silence Ink Empress. Your pain with evaporate and your wings, supple yet strong will transport you to a world of beauty! Hold on! What beautiful lines you have crafted with your heartfelt plea! happy Monday xxoo
Empress Avatar
January 29, 2024 at 10:06 AM
That’s so very kind of you, thank you so very much for your generous and sincere feedback: im grateful truly
Buhagiar Avatar
January 29, 2024 at 2:08 AM
Alliteration, metaphors, imagery, all a concoction of a delightful poem, which I consider the best of the best. Your heart is indeed big but not to be rifled at.
Empress Avatar
January 29, 2024 at 10:17 AM
Thank you so very much truly for your kindness and unwavering support
George Avatar
January 28, 2024 at 8:39 PM
"your love is a hand grenade, that shattered my aching bones into scattered smoke and fog."..... This is such an emotive write. I feel the depth of pain in these lines in all its intensity. You have been passing through a period of torment which was met by 'unbending silence'. It is cruel to be silent....! Happy that you don't wish to be crushed down and rot as a victim. Fictional or real, you have sent chills down our spine. Hats off to this wonderful poem. You reign as a real Empress, never as a 'serpent queen'
Empress Avatar
January 29, 2024 at 10:21 AM
You are such a mindful reader and i am so grateful to hve readers like you that are talented and feels my words thank you so very much truly dear sweet valsa
Greenhough Avatar
January 28, 2024 at 8:29 PM
This poem had a lot of strength and resolution. I liked the daring voice it spoke with. It teaches as well as lulls with words of warning.
Empress Avatar
January 29, 2024 at 10:35 AM
Ah thank you you are so kind always dear hilda, i appreciate you so very much
Rose  Avatar
January 28, 2024 at 3:28 PM
You shall not ever be a victim as long as you remember you do the leading, enjoy the narrow path carved out by you, its the right one dear friend :)
Empress Avatar
January 29, 2024 at 10:40 AM
Awwn you are always cosmically there for me in all the ways. Thank you sweet rose
M  Avatar
January 28, 2024 at 12:06 PM
Sweet Ink…. l can feel your pain in your beautiful words and l sincerely hope you are ok? A moving write sweet Ink! Debx
Empress Avatar
January 29, 2024 at 10:53 AM
Awwn thank you so much im ok just having migraine attacks and been a bit unwell otherwise im fine thank you so much always
One Avatar
January 28, 2024 at 11:24 AM
There is a lot of angst and emotions in your poem, I am sorry you feel this way and have or had to go through the toils of silent treatment, its not nice, but sometimes the silent person is too upset to talk, and so many times we look at the action and not the reason behind it.. however i know some narcissists use silent treatment to their advantage and that is just wrong.. This paper kingdom seems very painful and fragile.. I hope it does not rain...I am sure this will be a top winner dear poet
Empress Avatar
January 29, 2024 at 10:53 AM
Couldnt have said it any better dear silent one you know very well thank you so much for your unwavering support truly you are a gem
Pandit Avatar
January 28, 2024 at 9:29 AM
Awesome weaving of emotions, my friend--a splendid gem--most certainly worthy of a FAVE from me. ---But now I’ve got feathers in my bleeding heart, and if these crimson wings could fly, you’ll find me soaring above seas of solitude, that pushed me down to an abyss of nothingness---and many more like this. WOW and a FAVE!!
Empress Avatar
January 29, 2024 at 10:56 AM
Awwn i appreciate your fave and your kind support truly always dear Vijay. Thank you so very much truly im grateful
Sharma  Avatar
January 28, 2024 at 9:01 AM
This is a powerful and emotive write, filled with angst and aching feelings that you've so meticulously wrapped within metaphors.. The imagery, as always, is so spellbinding and absolutely heartfelt as your words dive deep in the essence where love can sometimes bring the opposite sides of healing, when two souls reflect/mirror each other.. I felt so many emotions whilst reading your poignant words, dear Ink..Especially "For your love is a hand grenade..aching bones into scattered smoke and fog"
Empress Avatar
January 29, 2024 at 11:00 AM
Ahhh thank you so much your comments are as soulful and artistic as your poems, so genuine and sincere i am grateful forever!
Sharma  Avatar
January 28, 2024 at 9:26 AM
And many other lines really hit in a stirring way! "They say, the biggest hearts are the biggest targets, and the rifles you hold, seems to have my name engraved in blood-soaked tears" Those lines truly reflect the burdensome vulnerability that rides upon our shoulders during such situations.. Your alliteration and adjectives here are also stunning! A brilliant write, dear Ink.. Sending many best wishes and light your way..
Poet Avatar
January 28, 2024 at 8:52 AM
This is such a stunningly written poem dear Ink and it's a fave from you. The struggle to assert individuality and strength in the face of oppression and emotional turmoil and the resilience and self-empowerment amid adversity, as well as the complexities of love and pain. Your words are so evocative and emotive, using vivid imagery and powerful language to convey those emotions. Devices such as metaphor, personification, and symbolism are used to create a rich and layered narrative.
Goldsmith Avatar
January 28, 2024 at 8:50 AM
WOW!!! What a powerful/wonderful write/story. Great ending.... Have a wonderful day/week................
May Avatar
January 28, 2024 at 8:34 AM
"Unlocking the doors to seek serendipity and soar to greater heights, ", Very nicely penned Empress
Kendrick Avatar
January 28, 2024 at 7:32 AM
Whoa!! Big hearts make big targets. Discouraging. Rise above the arrows in flight. Thanks for sharing this one with us and for your kind review of my work. Sara K
Onpaper Avatar
January 28, 2024 at 6:31 AM
when time was frozen, smiles were stolen, n hope yet again remains broken. Ooooo rhyme!!! crimson wings could fly, you’ll find me soaring above seas of solitude, amazing line.. twirl through ravenous ravens in a carnival of carnivores… I love a good alliteration row… your love is a hand grenade, that shattered my aching bones into scattered smoke and fog…this line moves effortlessly !! rifles you hold… have my name engraved in blood-soaked tears..false humility disguised as kindness, powerfully Gorgeous
Rhymes Avatar
January 28, 2024 at 6:15 AM
True words . Couldn’t have said it better
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