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In the Shadow of Sunlight

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Written from the perspective of an individual that endured narcissistic abuse. Narcissts are perfect at gaslighting and ensuring their victims cannot see beyond their sanctuary of torment. And it isnt always the same experience for all. This is inspired by " in the shadow of sunlight" contest hosted by Edward Ibeh

When wounds keep seeping, dawn continues to unfold~ blurred projections engrossed in dishonesty. And I wonder if the tulip moon could see the ash and dust dancing across the blue azure, mirroring the smeared lens of life, where the bitterness of torment I’ve endured, alone in agony to the sound of scars that bleed, is the familiar fragrance I’ve worn, while dressed in cobalt cold comfort, oblivious to the jewels of jasmines that await my ethereal escape from this confined cruelty. Yet in the shadow of sunlight, when fears drizzle upon weeping waves like obsidian cinders, I burn from the villainous rays that shift and crawl in a writhing pattern, to seize glistening galaxies within my powerless pulses, as I am the tragic flare of twilight, resting in a mahogany bed of lifeless lilies, listening to the cursed cadence of metallic melodies, chanted by a narcissistic puppeteer with soulless eyes, mocking the ruthless reality he fed me with finer fangs. Tonight I plead to the Universe: unfreeze the glacier walls— obscuring streaks of serenity, for I’ve long been bruised and battered, in the warm embrace of a roseate romance that melted into a lethal lake of rotten red. If being coiled within the doleful helix of redundant violence is what the future shall unveil in sinful scribes, am I to stay chained in silence, or are these the storms I shall ferry, like an odyssey lost in the hypocrisy of sinister seas, too aimless to seek a shore whiter than the ivory ladders to the Elysium. Perhaps the world must witness the tattooed trauma I hide behind woes of broken vows, unable to find the key to unlock silver gateways to healing, as I’ve dreamt that eagle feathers of the deceitful sun would wrap me in sepals of solace so radiant, unaware of the conceited clouds bursting forth blistering thistles. But I no longer want to remain as the mistress of misery, woven into the realms of grammatical errors, scattered across illiterate skies unraveling vain verses in vermilion. I’ll rise from the inked inferno, be the untamable mystery soaring above seething syllables. So let the pain I’ve tasted be the air of the spirit that sets my angst free. I’ll paint my own paradise where stains shall sprout seamless fields, and vicious vines will thrive as violet orchids. Someday the eclipsed spheres would realize, seeing the twinkling topaz within me. My silence was never a token of defeat; I am more than a victim, trapped in the flashbacks of your abuse, I refuse to ride the sickening carousel of unending oppression.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024




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Date: 8/23/2024 11:59:00 AM
Back with Congratulations on your win. I enjoyed reading your Powerful Write again. Have a blessed day writing away...........
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Date: 8/22/2024 3:57:00 AM
Heartiest congratulations on your top win with this phenomenal piece, Inky! A masterpiece, for sure.
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Date: 8/20/2024 7:09:00 PM
I knew this will be placed top. Feel so glad and proud to have shared the first place with you. I am once more back to this soul hitting poem to congratulate you on your great win, sweet Empress.
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Date: 8/19/2024 2:19:00 PM
Narcissism.... my favourite topic of late. "I refuse to ride the sickening carousel of unending oppression"... it's the only way forward when surviving the abuse of a Narcissist. Well written. I enjoyed your poem.
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Date: 8/19/2024 8:31:00 AM
"So let the pain I’ve tasted be the air of the spirit that sets my angst free. I’ll paint my own paradise where stains shall sprout seamless fields, and vicious vines will thrive as violet orchids" So chillingly real and vibrant with pain and phoenix fire! Bursting out of abuse to rise above! What a gorgeous soul you have. Xo
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Date: 8/9/2024 2:40:00 AM
A great piece Dear Ink. You have weaved this with so much grace. some people do not understand that emotional or mental abuse is one of the worst. It kills from the inside and shatters a lot that has been built or shielded for a long time. Narcissist manipulates you into thinking you're the problem. They are never wrong. They find a way to turn the tables and make you feel completely helpless. That is a demonic spirit, one that never sees wrongs in bad doing or tries to apologise.
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Tonye George
Date: 8/9/2024 2:42:00 AM
"listening to the cursed cadence of metallic melodies, chanted by a narcissistic puppeteer with soulless eyes, mocking the ruthless reality he fed me with finer fangs." I hope they get poisoned by their own blood.
Date: 8/7/2024 11:16:00 AM
I am wishing you well on your path. Beautiful writing, dear Ink. <3
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Date: 8/6/2024 12:36:00 PM
and now it's time for me to get home early for a change!
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Date: 8/6/2024 12:35:00 PM
GREAT ending. refuse that crap, Ink. I saw lots of cool imagery and copied the one that most stood out for me. This one: as I am the tragic flare of twilight, resting in a mahogany bed of lifeless lilies
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Date: 8/5/2024 8:52:00 AM
One image after another, brilliant in their execution. A poem to delve into as it is full of metaphors. Your talent shines.
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Date: 8/5/2024 4:40:00 AM
"..... I’ve long been bruised and battered, in the warm embrace of a roseate romance that melted into a lethal lake of rotten red." From these lines I understand the seamless tortures a soul has endured under narcissistic abuse. The ability to break free of all such shackles is inbuilt in every human, if consciously practiced. Towards the end of the poem a life changing resolution has taken place. "I’ll paint my own paradise where stains shall sprout seamless fields, and vicious vines will thrive as violet orchids." I see you painting your own paradise, dear Empress. Stick to your resolution and keep building. Powerful.... so powerful ! I am sure this will be placed high.
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Date: 8/3/2024 9:09:00 PM
An very meaningful poem, which I loved all the more, for its exquisite images. Wonderful writing, Ink.
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Ink Empress
Date: 8/4/2024 7:23:00 AM
Thank you so much dear evelyn
Date: 8/3/2024 4:51:00 PM
Breaking free from the 'sickening carousel of unending oppresion,' Powerful write
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Ink Empress
Date: 8/4/2024 7:26:00 AM
Thank you so very much dear Joseph
Date: 8/3/2024 3:24:00 PM
" I’ll paint my own paradise" you do that girl, its the only way to live freely and away from abuse and narcistic personalities :)
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Ink Empress
Date: 8/4/2024 7:26:00 AM
Thank you beautiful rose appreciate your kindness always
Date: 8/3/2024 2:21:00 PM
"But I no longer want to remain as the mistress of misery, woven into the realms of grammatical errors, scattered across illiterate skies" -- Wow, great imagery! "’ll paint my own paradise where stains shall sprout seamless fields, " Wonderfully positive and liberating. Enjoyed your profound, bravely honest write very much.
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Ink Empress
Date: 8/4/2024 7:30:00 AM
Thank you so much for reading and for pointing out lines too that you enjoyed dear joe grateful for your kindness
Date: 8/3/2024 11:25:00 AM
Oooo that opening line! When wounds keep seeping, dawn continues to unfold blurred projections engrossed in dishonesty… mmmmmmm seize glistening galaxies within my powerless pulses, tragic flare of twilight, resting in a mahogany bed of lifeless lilies, ooo papi these lines hits sooo goooood!!! scattered across illiterate skies unraveling vain verses in vermilion. let the pain I’ve tasted be the air of the spirit that sets my angst free. To watch your craft draw us a painting of perfection is a blessing to witness.. absolutely gorgeous!
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Ink Empress
Date: 8/4/2024 7:33:00 AM
Thank you papi u are gorgeous
Date: 8/3/2024 11:16:00 AM
Exquisite write, Sweets! I love the defiant stance emerging towards end. The thing about narcissism is that it forces the other party to dig for their diamonds within. This poem sure brings out your sharp diamond mind & soft Violet orchards within your sensitive soul. Love you stacks. Xx
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Ink Empress
Date: 8/4/2024 7:33:00 AM
Awwn im so happy to hear from you, you always read so sincerely and leave comments that makes my heart warm. Thank you so very much truly
Date: 8/3/2024 11:14:00 AM
No, I would not love a tulip moon.. I like my moon to be round and eternal... Even when skies are blue, the moon is still there... somewhere.... I really enjoyed this poem of yours and how you emphasise in great detail how you feel about these pathetic humans that are narcissists.. there are so many and so many dont even realise they are acting in this way.. It always makes me laugh though how every girl's ex is a narcissist... not saying this is not the case here..So many great lines here, including alliteration like, 'cursed cadence and ' metallic melodies' best of luck in the contest..
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Ink Empress
Date: 8/3/2024 11:17:00 AM
Oh haha and every mans ex is a drama queen I heard. Your comments always make me smile
Date: 8/3/2024 10:41:00 AM
Wow! I’ve been gone for a bit, but I see you’re still writing masterpieces. Powerful write.
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Ink Empress
Date: 8/4/2024 7:37:00 AM
What a thoughtful and kind thing to say. Im so glad you liked my poem thank you so very much truly
Date: 8/3/2024 10:35:00 AM
It's nice to read the victim being empowered and overcoming the narcissist. That must require a lot of mental and emotional strength and clarity.
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Ink Empress
Date: 8/4/2024 7:37:00 AM
Thank you so much dear david, so true, most are stuck in their vicious cycle, so grateful for your support always
Date: 8/3/2024 9:48:00 AM
WOW!!! What a Powerful Write. "Good Luck" Have a wonderful/blessed day...................
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Ink Empress
Date: 8/4/2024 7:47:00 AM
Awwn thank you dear paula grateful always
Date: 8/3/2024 9:30:00 AM
Yes, abuse in any form is horrible and it affects the victim or person that is on the receiving end for the rest of their lives. Creative subject for the contest. Thanks for sharing it with us. Sara K
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Ink Empress
Date: 8/4/2024 7:48:00 AM
Thank you so much and i agree truly grateful for your generous comment
Date: 8/3/2024 6:27:00 AM
it looks like some distress, i hope the universe will hear your calling, enjoyed your beautiful poetry yann
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Ink Empress
Date: 8/4/2024 7:49:00 AM
Thank you so much
Date: 8/3/2024 6:20:00 AM
I witnessed the tattooed trauma . Wow another masterpiece
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/3/2024 6:26:00 AM
Not fiction? Oh my
Date: 8/3/2024 6:08:00 AM
Oh cool first to comment. Beat Aura to the punch. All of your writes are instantly recognizable and have your unique "stamp" of authenticity. Although Hiya comes close to imitating your style. As for this, who wants to continue in as a mistress of misery? Time to throw off the shackles of oppression and kick this narcissist control freak to the curb. Well done and have a wonderful weekend with the fam
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/3/2024 1:37:00 PM
No it was a bit too racy lol. Maybe I'll try again one day, though Dark Underbelly attempted to imitate your alliteration skills
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Ink Empress
Date: 8/3/2024 11:30:00 AM
Awwn I remember you did write a poem on insta, saying it is in my style, do you still have it? Thank you so much for your kind comment as always appreciate your support truly
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The Aura Rhymes
Date: 8/3/2024 6:21:00 AM
Hahah you sure did .

Book: Reflection on the Important Things