Belladonna Field Premiere Contest Winner

Good night, old friend.
Hush and sleep.
I’m here as long as we can pretend.
Even after you leave.

If pain is a gateway to the soul,
then my dreams deem your words the key to such a portal
I just can’t tear my eyes away
your blunt nails puncturing skin, their purpose ugly lines

If I could I would rasp a scripted farewell
envelop the spirits you trapped here frame to frame
but the jeers swimming in your Cheshire smile bleed a crimson too real
maybe I should rejoice, this house now a home – not a belladonna field.

But it never will be unlike a cage
twenty years, two decades, one fear, no apology
a few tears won’t erase the scars on her arms 
you the forefront, I the ignorant, and she the child in Omelas

I’m terrified I’m grieving a vile sadist
the people surrounding me either love or hate, curse or forgive, 
they don’t understand what it’s like
to miss someone so soul-crushingly cruel.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024



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Date: 8/10/2025 10:46:00 AM
Dear Hiba, soulful poet, it's a pleasure to return and reread this stunning piece. Your poetic artistry is exquisite and seems even deeper and richer than before as I savor the emotional and metaphoric textures of this verse once again. Congratulations for your shining trophy win in Mark's contest. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan
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Date: 8/8/2025 9:24:00 PM
Congrats Hiba, such raw deep imagery ! ‘I’m here as long as we can pretend’ = astounding honesty at beginning of poem. Loved it. x.
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Date: 8/8/2025 12:07:00 PM
Hiba, congratulations on your first-place win on Mile 4 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. What a powerful yet chilling poem! Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 5 has already started.
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Date: 8/8/2025 12:04:00 PM
Your use of the Belladonna and reference to Cheshire smile makes for an intriguing topic, unrequited love and the shaky strength of a woman trapped. Congratulations on your trophy win, Hiba! I Am Anaya
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Date: 7/2/2024 7:35:00 PM
Dear Hiba, you weave a tapestry of complex emotions with poetic finesse. Rich imagery and vivid metaphors brings this portrait of a toxic relationship to stunning life. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
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Junaid Avatar
Hiba Junaid
Date: 7/3/2024 2:15:00 AM
Thank you very much Susan, for the beautiful analysis of the poem. Your works are always lovely to read, and I enjoy decrypting the meanings!
Date: 3/20/2024 2:47:00 AM
Thanks for sharing this... exposing your thoughts about a sad reality through your unique poetic style. Welcome to Poetry Soup. I welcome you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed.
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Junaid Avatar
Hiba Junaid
Date: 3/20/2024 7:37:00 AM
Thank you for the warm welcome ^-^
Date: 3/18/2024 11:38:00 PM
I sense the deep pain in your words !Others can never sense the depth of agony of the one who misses someone so dear. From start to finish, the poem maintains the tempo of sadness over some misunderstanding, betrayal and loss
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Junaid Avatar
Hiba Junaid
Date: 3/19/2024 7:22:00 AM
Thank you so much for appreciating the message I wished to convey <3
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