Ink Empress Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

written for the contest black and white sponsored by Craig Cornish

Written from the perspective of an individual that is splitting, splitting is a psychological term used especially common in those diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. During splitting, the individual sees things in black and white, black and white thinking is when thoughts are consumed with either good or bad, assigning things situations or people as either good or bad, those that split often only see things as black or white and find it challenging to see grey or any in between. 

Black and White

I am like an avalanche slithering in shivering angst,
free-falling into an abyss of an aching era,
where luminous lakes reflect pixelated regrets,
for time throws my canvas into splitting helplessness,
and mind plays tricks in aimless frequency, 
framing toneless tenors within paralyzed psyche,
pushing and pulling ivory strings of my ebony heart.

Now I’m dwelling in the chaotic caves of a calculative carnivore,
unable to grasp the lunar light that envelopes forsaken fields, 
while crooning caged memories, like a pensive nightingale,
pondering, would the moon ever untangle these starless thoughts? 
Or was it written on the wailing walls  of melancholic museums~
that I was meant to drown in dizzying darkness?

I’ll rest my pen in a glass casket of equations~
cloaking this crippled conscience from seeing beyond vague visions,
detached from kohl eyes, eager to steal my voice,
as I keep sinking in black and white polarity, 
pausing curative prose in screeching silence.

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Malabika Ray Choudhury March 25, 2024 at 2:59 PM Dear Gifted Poetess, Thoughts in your poem is so deep and profound, and you have touched a stigmatized topic so masterfully with your exquisite vocabulary and powerful images. To me, it is a gem of gems. You are a poetic inspiration to me - writing at this level is never easy - keep writing on topics which touch many of us with soulful and enlightening information. To my faves, Dear Poetess. Love and warm wishes ~

Tonye George March 23, 2024 at 11:05 AM Congratulations on your wind dear Ink. Ink Empress March 23, 2024 at 1:13 PM Awwn so sweet of you to return my dear tonye. I appreciate you so much

Sam Kauffman March 23, 2024 at 9:52 AM Dearest Inky, what powerfully written lines - a "cave," "a casket," "screeching silence." Your ability to craft words and images is on full display as you expose the "paralyzed psyche" in the unrelenting black and white throes of life's challenge. Congratulations on your win. I always love reading your masterful poetic creations. They inspire me. Blessings to you sweet friend! Samzy Ink Empress March 23, 2024 at 1:14 PM Awwn samszy so sweet of you and i love reading your comments too they lift me up, im grateful for your poetic support truly

Susan Ashley March 23, 2024 at 8:10 AM Dear Empress, ever soulful poetess, you poetic expression is remarkable in its creative artistry. Your first verse is sublime in its metaphorical power and set the stage for a deep, rich, persuasive piece that enchants and challenges the imagination as well as raising awareness for a painful condition that many people struggle with. Your golden pen shines with the beauty of empathy. Congratulations for your win in Craig's contest. Warmest wishes, dear friend.. ~Susan Ink Empress March 23, 2024 at 1:15 PM Your comments mean alot talented soul, thank you for appreciating my opening lines, not many would like such metaphors but you see beauty in everything from your beautiful soul. Grateful for your support

W J Clarke March 23, 2024 at 5:13 AM Congratulations on your win. You have been truly blessed with the ability to embroider words and phrases into intricate tapestry. A deep and meaningful take on the title. Ink Empress March 23, 2024 at 1:16 PM Awwn thats such a kind and beautiful comment, im truly grateful thank you so very much truly

Charlotte Puddifoot March 22, 2024 at 2:10 PM i enjoyed reading this, even though the subject is a painful one; it's a unique take on the theme - congrats on your placement in craig's contest! Ink Empress March 23, 2024 at 1:16 PM Thank you so very much dear charlotte that means alot coming from you talented soul

Deb M March 22, 2024 at 1:19 PM WOW sweet Ink….what a powerful poem! I learnt something new today reading your brilliant insightful write! Your heart is one of empathy and kindness!! Debx Ink Empress March 23, 2024 at 1:17 PM Oh my sweet debsz, um so happy to hear from you and read your thoughts on this, thank you so very much truly

Paul Bell March 21, 2024 at 9:17 AM Like a journey into the unknown. Do people know they're BPD, or do they just step into it. I note from Tonye below the despair it certainly causes, and how black and white sums it up. You've captured it brilliantly, and already I see how relative it is. Ink Empress March 22, 2024 at 3:49 AM Thank you so very much dear paul, for your sincere feedback. Truly grateful for your support always

Paige Hind March 20, 2024 at 4:22 PM I think I can understand where you're coming from. This was so raw, it's rawness that seems to make the voids, seems they take those suffering into really deep or unresponsive consciences... beautiful writing. Ink Empress March 22, 2024 at 3:50 AM Awwn thank you so much dear paige always a pleasure hearing from you. Grateful for all your support

Tonye George March 20, 2024 at 1:29 PM Arghh! Ink, dear lovely Ink. This pierced my soul. I don't even know how to handle my splitting or everything that comes with BPD. It's exhausting and crazy. My whole life is Black and white. "as I keep sinking in black and white polarity, pausing curative prose in screeching silence." This is my favourite piece right now. No one fully understands. Ink Empress March 22, 2024 at 3:56 AM Awwn my beautiful soul tonye, bpd is never easy, and people often misunderstand those that struggle with splitting etc, i know and feel what you mean truly: and you are not alone and , i know so many that split as i help them during those times, whats important is to recognize the triggers and to know that you are splitting, it helps alot when dealing with situations. Im always here you can always msg me. Sending you light

Joanna Daniel March 20, 2024 at 5:29 AM A unique take on the theme, Ink, beautiful poetry in its desperateness:) Ink Empress March 22, 2024 at 4:10 AM Thank you dear joanna im grateful for your kind and generous support

Andrea Dietrich March 19, 2024 at 1:23 PM Good job, Ink. I have one for him that he probably won't like, but it's worth a shot. Anyway, I read somewhere that many people dream in black and white, and that seems unbelievable to me. Almost everyone I ask this seems to dream in color, as do I. I have a poem whose main focus is on that topic of seeing only in black and white. But to me, it does not just refer to split personalities. It also describes very opinionate people. haha. This is a sure winner. Ink Empress March 22, 2024 at 4:12 AM Thank you dear andrea always for being so supportive i really loved the depth of what youv conveyed in your poem. Excellent take. And im grateful for your poetic presence

Duke Beaufort March 19, 2024 at 10:37 AM IE, you have created interesting images...I would not like living in this territory. The images show the sufferer of this malady has some awareness of what's happening. That's an accomplishment on your part. Perceived realities of grey depend on having empathy to understand another person's experience and view of life. I re-read this looking to see if there was any empathetic thought and found none. I think you have created an insightful observation. Something to contemplate before we vote! Ink Empress March 22, 2024 at 4:28 AM Ah i always love reading your sincere and generous feedback. Truly. You always dive deep into the write and grasp little details and express your thoughts in a way that makes me feel like my poem has been understood. Im grateful for that always. Voting, so true. I hope many would step outside black and white zone to make decisions

Daniel Henry Rodgers March 19, 2024 at 9:04 AM Dearest Empress, This is wonderful because I can honestly feel the echoing of the tumultuous journey navigating the complexities of the mind. I so loved the imagery of the avalanche and the abyss that captures the overwhelming nature of mental anguish. Your portrayal of grappling with regrets and the relentless pull of darkness is haunting and poignant. Empress, what a powerful reflection on the internal struggle with perception and the longing for clarity amidst chaos. Such raw emotions through your artistic words offer peace to those who are touched by the shadows of the psyche. I Say this is a Real Winner, my friend and it is also a FAV for me. - Blessings, Daniel Ink Empress March 22, 2024 at 4:36 AM Thank you so very much dear daniel for your fav and also for your sincere feedback im truly grateful always for your support: your comments are uplifting and very generous. Truly im honored

Valsa George March 19, 2024 at 4:11 AM "Now I’m dwelling in the chaotic caves of a calculative carnivore, unable to grasp the lunar light that envelopes forsaken fields," Ours is a chaotic world. What we seek, we never get. Black and white polarity, we experience even within a day. If we are on the acme of joy at one time, the next moment, we are pulled down to the nadir of despair. This is the sad human condition.While going through the inner turmoil you experience, a lump forms in my throat. How I wish to console you, dear friend. This poem is an exploration into the hearts of many who hide a volcano of tension and pain within. Please understand that this is not your singular experience. Being constantly misunderstood is a severe cause of pain. You have the ability to express what you feel through powerful metaphors. Though poets, many do not have that ability. That's the whole difference.... ! Wish you dear friend happier times ahead. Ink Empress March 22, 2024 at 4:43 AM Awwn dear valsa this is so very sweet and kind of you, its written in the perspectives of one that struggles with bpd, and im touched by your well wishes and how sincere your comment is, you always lift me up and leave me feeling that i am enough. Im blessed to have you here and to receive your support always thank you so very much

Victor Buhagiar March 18, 2024 at 3:32 AM A great and excellent poem. Your idea of what splitting means is perfect. I tried not to feel the terror of such a situation and so kept aloof. Wonderful psychology. Ink Empress March 22, 2024 at 5:05 AM Thank you dear victor for your generous support always grateful

Triny Xiang March 17, 2024 at 10:11 PM Whoah. You capture the schism of a mind at odds with each other. I especially liked "crooning caged memories, like a pensive nightingale, pondering, would the moon ever untangle these starless thoughts" Yes, prose is a detangler and curative for those sane and 'insane'. Well done. Ink Empress March 22, 2024 at 5:05 AM Awwn thank you so very much im so glad and pleased that you enjoyed my poem. I appreciate always your kind support

Beryl Edmonds March 17, 2024 at 3:33 PM An excellent write Ink, and an insight into what splitting must be like. Beryl Ink Empress March 22, 2024 at 5:17 AM Thank you dear kind beryl, im truly so very grateful for your generous support

Hilda Greenhough March 17, 2024 at 3:27 PM This is great. It's a sensible poem with a story of psychology. Good luck. Ink Empress March 22, 2024 at 5:20 AM Awn thank you so very much dear hilda grateful for. Your kind support truly

Andrea Dietrich March 17, 2024 at 12:09 PM Question in soupmail

I Am Anaya March 17, 2024 at 11:34 AM You have brought black and white polarity to my attention, I am overwhelmed by your words and imagery flowing through me. "detached from kohl eyes, eager to steal my voice, pausing curative prose in screeching silence" intensities have arisen inside, I'm happy to be informed of the devastating physiological "splitting" Great Entry Empress & a Fave for my list of faves brilliant xo Ink Empress March 17, 2024 at 12:05 PM Thank you so very much dear anaya. Im truly grateful for your kind and generous support, you are so sweet! I appreciate the fave also. And im glad now you know about splitting. I was first thinking of writing about somethn else but couldn’t help writing abt this. Thank u again

Vijay Pandit March 17, 2024 at 10:15 AM Simply awesome, my friend. WOW! I am always in awe of your vocabulary, Ink. --while crooning caged memories, like a pensive nightingale, pondering, would the moon ever untangle these starless thoughts? ---detached from kohl eyes, eager to steal my voice, as I keep sinking in black and white polarity---Excellent as always. A definite FAVE for me. Ink Empress March 17, 2024 at 12:03 PM So very kind of you dear vijay. Im always grateful for your generous and sincere support. Appreciate also the fave

Paula Goldsmith March 17, 2024 at 10:01 AM WOW!!! What a powerful "Black and White" write. Thanks for adding the information/very helpful. "Good Luck"  Have a blessed day writing away.................. Ink Empress March 17, 2024 at 12:03 PM Thank you so very much always for your kind and generous support

Andrea Dietrich March 17, 2024 at 8:39 AM Awesome work

Andrea Dietrich March 17, 2024 at 8:38 AM This is what I wanted my theme to be but not in a million years could it come off this way, so I probably won't enter Ink Empress March 17, 2024 at 11:38 AM Please do writ i would love to see, and this might be too much for craig as i have a bit of adjectives and metaphors splashed: haha. But i was inspired . His contests are always inspiring thank you dear andrea

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