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I Am FEAR

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those knots that wrench your gut belong to me
the terror in your eyes, yeah that's mine too
but soon my friend your death will set us free
when the guillotine severs you in two 
for heinous crimes against humanity

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Reya Suri

Date: 4/25/2025 10:34:00 AM

WOAH! That picture jumpscared me, lmao. This piece is snappy, cold, and fills anyone who reads it with terror! I love it!

Tom Woody
Date: 4/25/2025 2:49:00 PM

Interestingly this poem has received 47 comments of support to date, but got an n/a in the contest. One of the many reasons I have little faith in peer sponsored contests

Tom Woody
Date: 4/25/2025 10:39:00 AM

Fear's a nasty booger

Mickey Grubb

Date: 4/14/2025 6:03:00 AM

At least the end is quick...one might say, "it's a type of -sudden- death"; but, then again, isn't all death sudden? Ouch. A dark, poetic edge, a creative dive into the macabre, my friend.

Tom Woody
Date: 4/14/2025 3:39:00 PM

Hey much thx

Tonye George

Date: 2/1/2025 7:24:00 AM

Damn! I like it cold. The writing gave the exact emotion on the picture. "the terror in your eyes, yeah that's mine too." Yeah! That's right.

Tom Woody
Date: 2/1/2025 11:08:00 AM

Fear can be a demon. Thx much

Eileen Manassian

Date: 1/28/2025 8:20:00 PM

That's a great embodiment of that emotion. The picture also heightens the emotion. Well done.

Tom Woody
Date: 1/29/2025 5:47:00 AM

Thx much

David Crandall

Date: 12/13/2024 4:32:00 PM

Of course, it's right in the title, and, yes, I remember the contest was to personify an emotion. I think when I wrote my comment, my head must have been severed from my body. Otherwise, my fingers wouldn't have typed such a thing - lol.

Tom Woody
Date: 12/13/2024 4:33:00 PM

Ha no worries. Just happy to see you here

David Crandall

Date: 12/13/2024 1:54:00 PM

Yikes!! Interesting look at shared feelings between the executioner and the guy who ends up being in more than the optimal number of pieces.

Tom Woody
Date: 12/13/2024 2:07:00 PM

It's actually fear personified rather than the Executioner. Thx for stopping by

Sam Harty

Date: 12/1/2024 12:42:00 PM

This was awesome! You write good villainous poetry! :o

Tom Woody
Date: 12/1/2024 5:51:00 PM

Yessir Mr Sam sir. Thx

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 9/28/2024 11:57:00 AM

So many atrocities, so many executions, who does God side with when we are all his children? The guillotine was horrific, and wrong doers punished, blood spurting everywhere - fear abounded but the news in the Middle East now today, is where fear is what all the good and the bad, the weak and the strong, and the young and the old all experience. A compelling, eloquent write. Blessings, Jennifer.

Tom Woody
Date: 9/28/2024 12:18:00 PM

Like you say, atrocities abound. Thx for visit

Luciana Fisher

Date: 9/22/2024 2:30:00 PM

Visceral! I feel the wrath!

Tom Woody
Date: 9/22/2024 3:32:00 PM

"Run to the hills, run for your lives..."

Jay Narain

Date: 9/9/2024 10:57:00 AM

A brutal way for punishment. Feel the emotions in your poem.

Tom Woody
Date: 9/9/2024 2:10:00 PM

Yessir and thx

Susan Ashley

Date: 9/7/2024 5:24:00 PM

Dear Tom, your poetic pen is ever potent. Intense, chilling imagery with a fantastic last line that can cut both ways. The anticipation of laying one’s head down for the blade must have been terrifying. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Suze

Tom Woody
Date: 9/7/2024 5:31:00 PM

Thx so much

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/7/2024 11:25:00 AM

This is very well written and powerful. A soupmail for you.

Arlo Parker

Date: 9/4/2024 11:59:00 AM

Known to be the most terrifying but swiftest cut of all. Well crafted, Demento. ;-]]

Tom Woody
Date: 9/4/2024 1:14:00 PM

Thx much. Everyone seemed to like it but Andrea lol

Susan Lawrence

Date: 9/2/2024 6:46:00 AM

Tom, Emotions and visions erupt upon reading this poem. I have always winced at the guillotine ….. its brutal finality and seeping blood hard to forget . Great take on the theme . Susan :)

Tom Woody
Date: 9/2/2024 8:11:00 AM

Thx much. Appreciate you stopping by

Connie Pachecho

Date: 8/29/2024 4:22:00 PM

Tom, I don't know how you didn't place. This is honey to bees ... however ... never mind.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/7/2024 11:39:00 AM

Nothing to do with politics. I didn't even know who wrote this at the time it was judged. I was looking for fear expressing itself in forms not just related to one aspect such as a specific way of dying. Indeed this is a very well written poem.

Tom Woody
Date: 8/29/2024 5:50:00 PM

It's ok. I learned long ago politics plays a big part in these things. I'm glad you liked it

Benjamin Bartley

Date: 8/28/2024 11:52:00 AM

Wow, gruesome. Very unlike you. Amazing what a good contest can bring out in us. It good to see you expand your boundaries. Thanks for sharing.

Tom Woody
Date: 8/28/2024 12:38:00 PM

My boundaries are all over, but always in good taste

Mulu Magdalinos

Date: 8/28/2024 5:24:00 AM

Hello Tom ,Powerful Imagery. Good luck in the contest. dear Tom have a blessed day.

Tom Woody
Date: 8/28/2024 5:39:00 AM

U2 Mu

Marugu Mo

Date: 8/28/2024 2:14:00 AM

Wow the guillotine like the cross is one of humanity's most gruesome inventions...we humans can be very dark

Marugu Mo
Date: 8/28/2024 10:51:00 AM

In ancient days, from what I hear, they had a brazen bull where the condemned would be put inside and they would be roasted slowly...ouch

Tom Woody
Date: 8/28/2024 5:38:00 AM

Then there's the rack, being buried alive, the list goes on. Thx for visit

Alesia Leach

Date: 8/27/2024 10:09:00 AM

WOW! Great imagery, but I would hate to have to experience this. Good write!

Tom Woody
Date: 8/27/2024 10:18:00 AM

Me too. Gulp! Thx

Jim Slaughter

Date: 8/25/2024 10:26:00 AM

...and the guillotine was one of the most "heinous crimes against humanity", in my opinion. I must admit, though, Tom, that I like the illustration.

Tom Woody
Date: 8/25/2024 10:31:00 AM

Strange how we are repulsed and drawn to the macabre at the same time

Panagiota Romios

Date: 8/24/2024 6:42:00 PM

The image abd poem are piwerful symmetry, Tom. Lots of drama includec Pangie

Tom Woody
Date: 8/25/2024 4:50:00 AM

Thx Pange

Karen Jones

Date: 8/24/2024 4:55:00 PM

Wow! Powerful and a great contest contender! Good luck Yom!

Tom Woody
Date: 8/24/2024 5:02:00 PM

Thx. I recently changed my name to Tom ;)

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 8/24/2024 2:18:00 PM

Love the ironic twist at the end. Who is the most heinous. The criminal or the executioner. Well done Tom. I can't imagine that sinking feeling just before death. SuZ

Suzanne Delaney
Date: 8/24/2024 5:55:00 PM

I have seen in history books she was be-headed/ Unspeakable cruelty ......SuZ

Tom Woody
Date: 8/24/2024 5:04:00 PM

Poor Anne Boleyn. Did you ever see the movie Anne of the thousand days? Quite chilling

Sally Eslinger

Date: 8/24/2024 11:54:00 AM

Tom, a striking take to personify Fear…WHO IS— (at worst) guilty of crimes against humanity…Does he speak this poem to a mirror while trying to lead the case that HE is the one preventing us all fom the doom of nuclear war? He is invisible when he moves through us, thankfully, 4 as U wrote, he is horrid ! Master penning, Tom. Spine chilling

Tom Woody
Date: 8/24/2024 5:05:00 PM

Hey Sally thx for stopping by Woodster's place