I Chose Not To Be a Falling Star

I sat on the back porch, watching a falling star
feeling like a lightning bug, caged within a jar,
wishing with a heavy heart that I could fly away.
I needed to open the door. Should I go or stay?

He called my name and instinct told me to hide.
Would I be answering the call of Dr. Jekyll or Hyde?
I muttered something while wiping away my tears
and faking a smile, trying to disguise my fears.

I was as fragile at that moment as a butterfly's wings,
knowing it was time to cut the tethering strings.
Time to open the cage door and finally set myself free
If I were to stay, I asked myself, Who would I be?

My identity had been shattered, like shards of glass.
Each day, falling deeper into the depths of a crevasse.
He'd try to stop me from leaving, but I held the key.
I asked, "When you look at me, what do you see?"

He gathered me in his arms, whispering more sad lies,
and couldn't bear looking into his deceitful eyes.
I felt like a performer in a final appearance on stage.
and heard applause in my head as I exited the cage.

Had I stayed I'd have become his puppet on strings,
a miserable butterfly, imprisoned with broken wings.
When he'd ask, "Do you love me," I'd mumble, "Yes."
Deserving of an award for being one hell of an actress.

I'd have been lost and lonely, forced to sing and dance,
sorry I didn't decide to run away when I had the chance.
My eyes would never cease their flow of doleful tears.
I'd be a falling star whose light fades through the years.



11/5/2022   For a contest by Anoucheka Gangabissoon
I chose to run, but had I stayed, things would have been like...

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022



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Date: 11/26/2022 4:51:00 AM
Congratulations, Jenna. An excellent portrayal of grief, loss of confidence, indecision. BW ~ Mala
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Jenna Logan
Date: 11/26/2022 7:27:00 AM
I appreciate your kind thoughts, Mala. Thank you.
Date: 11/26/2022 4:04:00 AM
"as fragile at that moment as a butterfly's wings", "My eyes would never cease their flow of doleful tears" - Beautiful. Congratulations!
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Jenna Logan
Date: 11/26/2022 7:27:00 AM
I love it when poets leave the lines they prefer. Thank you, Chris.
Date: 11/6/2022 3:01:00 PM
So many will relate to this, Jenna. A marvellous composition for a contest I tried but couldn’t write for (yet). Terry
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Jenna Logan
Date: 11/6/2022 5:40:00 PM
Thank you, Terry. You will get one done.
Date: 11/6/2022 4:08:00 AM
Another well written piece my friend! Good luck in the contest!
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Jenna Logan
Date: 11/6/2022 5:20:00 AM
Thank you very much, Mark.
Date: 11/6/2022 3:20:00 AM
Get the hell out, this relationship was only going to end one way, but so many women and men, keep up the pretence in toxic relationships, with deadly consequences, brilliantly written poem with a huge message for the reader, all the best for contest, cheers David
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Jenna Logan
Date: 11/6/2022 5:20:00 AM
Fear of several things keep some bound in such a situation...so sorrowful. Thanks for your well wishes, David.
Date: 11/5/2022 8:34:00 PM
Well said Jenna, anyone in that situation should run, being caged in a jar is no fun… Belle
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Jenna Logan
Date: 11/6/2022 5:19:00 AM
It would be such a tragedy to feel trapped. Thanks so much, Belle.
Date: 11/5/2022 12:31:00 PM
Well thought, said, and done! Enjoyed! Aloha!
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Jenna Logan
Date: 11/6/2022 5:18:00 AM
Thanks a lot, Rico.
Date: 11/5/2022 11:34:00 AM
It's hard to get out of a toxic relationship if one is a control freak and makes the victim feel bad about themselves to the point they haven't the confidence to get out. Great writing Jenna. Tom
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Jenna Logan
Date: 11/6/2022 5:18:00 AM
Thanks for your valued thoughts, Tom.
Date: 11/5/2022 10:13:00 AM
Yet again, POTD worthy. Devastating scenario, suffocating and blatantly sad. Evocative, emotion-stirring, endearing.
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Jenna Logan
Date: 11/5/2022 10:16:00 AM
All of your descriptive adjectives rolled into one poem... and more would be such a tragic end to what was once a great love. Thank you for your many kind comments, Arlo.
Date: 11/5/2022 8:18:00 AM
Outstanding, a personal account which I could relate to, Jenna, for I have been in that kind of situation. Thank you so much for sharing from your heart. BOL in the contest. So well-written with vibrant images.
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Jenna Logan
Date: 11/5/2022 9:01:00 AM
Good morning and thank you for your amiable remarks, Milt.
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