Ink Empress Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

May is the month of Borderline Personality Disorder, and when I saw the prompt by Edward Ibeh, “internal paralysis,” I immediately wanted to write to raise awareness of the inner conflicts of individuals diagnosed with BPD, where splitting is common and chronic emptiness and internal paralysis are often endured.

 

It is one of the most stigmatized mental health conditions, and I feel for those who lack empathy for the souls who suffer often in silence…

**^This is not about me… but about putting myself in the shoes of someone who is struggling.

Internal Paralysis

The night of notorious orchids
speaks in faltering bioluminescence,
hurling ricochets of rhapsody
through conch-shell chaos,
like gothic mantras
rising from wounded waves,
carrying salt-soaked roses
into the face of interstellar inferno ~
an unsettling 
illustration of internal paralysis…

I am scarlet-scarred frost,
crestfallen in silent disarray,
like an avalanche ~ already torn,
consumed in chronic emptiness,
collapsing into
compulsive numbness,
unable to voice the truth,
shattered by the last dying breeze
that smothered my will
to believe ~ to rise ~ to dream…

But, am I to be crowned with blame,
laced in regret and shame,
while the mirror mirrors
a pulse that pains in self-isolation,
a soft-spoken sabotage,
fearing every familiar flicker
of fragranced starlight,
questioning the silk
and silver on moon-rivers,
for even the beauty of love feels
like temporary treachery,
betraying bouquets of constellations…

And I communed with soul’s serpents ~
they know the hollowness
of this splitting madness…
Must I perish
in a catacomb conscience,
where the mind gaslights grief,
manipulating melancholy
like a widow’s deathless elegy,
as if I were no poet ~
with a mourning riddle,
bleeding ballads
through blistered thistles ~
the anatomy of a heart
abandoned and forgotten 
in its own crypt of catharsis…

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Valsa George June 10, 2026 at 8:46 PM Back to your stunning poem with Congratulations on your top win, dear Empress. I am so proud to have shared the first place win with you, though my poem is no match to yours.

Edward Ibeh June 10, 2026 at 7:22 AM This poem is a masterpiece, Inky. Not surprised it won you a well-deserved POTD. Loved the imagery, metaphors, alliteration. It's an instant fave. Heartiest congratulations on your top win in my contest.

Deb M June 6, 2026 at 6:52 PM Belated POTD Congratulations Ink on this amazing , descriptive , ‘from your heart’ write. You bring to light the sheer pain, turmoil, loneliness, fear and shame that BDP sufferers and mental health sufferers feel. Mental health comes in all shapes and forms and bringing awareness, understanding and compassion can make a sufferer feel less isolated and alone! Good on you! Debx

Daniel Henry Rodgers June 1, 2026 at 9:36 AM Dear Empress, Sorry I am late, and I am back to send Congrats on POTD! My oldest daughter just gave birth to her third daughter, and my wife and I were watching the other two. Blessings, Daniel Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 6:21 AM How precious!! Congratulations dear Daniel. I will read you shortly too, i have been away too for a bit. And just getting back on here. Thank you for your comment..Sending you light always

Constance La France May 31, 2026 at 11:45 AM Ink, amazing writing and congratulations on receiving the POTD honor ~ Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 6:20 AM Thank you dear Constance, appreciate your kindness always, sending you light always

Hiya Sharma May 30, 2026 at 11:03 AM Woah, my dearest ink empress, I can't even put into words how incredibly happy I'm feeling to be reading your pristine words once again! On soup! And this one, about PTSD, you just nailed in describing everything that goes on, so metaphorically and in a manner that stirs the heart and leaves one's soul speechless.. "must I perish in a catacomb conscience.." that line left me breathless! "as if I were no poet ~ with a mourning riddle,bleeding ballads through blistered thistles ~as if I were no poet ~ with a mourning riddle, bleeding ballads through blistered thistles ~ the anatomy of a heart" just awestruck! Such poignancy you've reflected through these lines here! The confused chaos, the consuming reality and the splitting moments, all captured into a phraseology that feels surreal! Thank you for sharing this absolutely moving awareness piece! And the most sincere congratulations on POTD! Sending light, love and hugs! Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 6:20 AM Thank you so much dear Hiya, for feeling this poem written to raise awareness on BPD. I am grateful for your empathetic response and kindness and also the congratulations! Pleasure having you here always. Sending you light always

Paige Hind May 29, 2026 at 7:56 PM congrats on POTD belated!! Beautiful and moving work, Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 6:08 AM Thank you so much dear sweet paige! Sending you light always

Anne-Lise Andresen May 29, 2026 at 11:26 AM - Beautiful ... congrats on your p.o.t.d., Ink :) - hugs Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 6:06 AM So good to see you dear Anne Lise, sending you light always

Beryl Edmonds May 29, 2026 at 12:07 AM Dear ink, how wonderful this is and how soothing for anyone who suffers from a personality disorder. Congratulations on having received the honour of Poem of the Day… Beryl Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 6:04 AM Thank you so much dear Beryl, I appreciate your warm presence truly. Sending you light always

Brandy Nicole May 28, 2026 at 7:10 PM Dearest Ink, you have such a wonderful heart, always there when we need a friend... and I appreciate you. So many are dealing with these health issues, and your thoughts are a comfort to them. Congratulations my sweet friend, on receiving Poem of the Day. My best to you. Hugs and blessings. ~ Brandy Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 6:02 AM Awwn thats such a kind thing for you to say dear Brandy. Beautiful thoughts, and warm response as always! I appreciate that! Sending you light, always

Robert James Liguori May 28, 2026 at 7:09 PM Congratulations on Poem of the Day (POTD)!!! This poem had all the hallmarks of a winner. Job well done. Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 6:02 AM Thank you dear Robert, for your unwavering support, grateful, always! Sending you light always

Sara Kendrick May 28, 2026 at 5:03 PM Congratulations on being POTD today. Way to go. Sara K Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 6:01 AM Thank you dear kind sara! I appreciate your presence. Sending you light always

the barefoot bard May 28, 2026 at 12:28 PM Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 5:58 AM Thank you so much dear DG! I appreciate your kindness truly! Sending you light always the barefoot bard May 28, 2026 at 12:31 PM Good day Ink A well deserved POTD honour A wide vocabulary descriptive and well structured Blessings Douglas

Paula Goldsmith May 28, 2026 at 11:53 AM Congratulations on your POTD win. I enjoyed reading your powerful/ wonderful "Internal Paralysis" write. I love your many lines. Great Ending... There are times we do feel abandoned/forgotten. We are mind/body/soul. They all need to work together. Have a blessed day with your wonderful win............... Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 5:55 AM Awwn thank you so much sweet Paula! You are truly a gem! Sending you light always

Gershon Wolf May 28, 2026 at 11:12 AM I see that you were not merely 'interning' with this one, Empress. Congrats on POTD. ~ Gershon Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 5:53 AM Haha. I am forever an intern, learning, and bleeding, thank you so much for your compliment and comment dear GW. Sending you light always

Eve Roper May 28, 2026 at 7:56 AM Congratulations on POTD, on a very heartfelt verse. Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 5:50 AM Thank you so much dear Eve, i appreciate your comment. Sending you light always

I Am Anaya May 28, 2026 at 7:02 AM Congratulations onPOTD, IE! Great job on a very important subject, I too made a piece on it, "The Tree Of Life" yay. Enjoy your day ') Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 5:41 AM That is very kind of you to raise awareness on this subject, mental health matters, appreciate your comment! Sending you light.. stay well, creative and blessed

Kim Rodrigues May 28, 2026 at 5:22 AM Congrats on POTD! Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 5:39 AM Thank you so much dear Kim, appreciate the fave and also your return comment. Sending you light always

Unseeking Seeker May 28, 2026 at 5:15 AM Mental health issues are real and yet not recognised as much as it should be. Apart from medication, counselling and support of friends nd family is crucial. Thanks for bringing this to our attention, IE and congratulations on POTD for this masterfully penned poem. Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 5:36 AM Thank you so much dear seeker, Its always a pleasure hearing from you! I appreciate what youv said here too very sincerely. Thank you for your kindness, sending you light, always

sara Etgen-Baker May 28, 2026 at 4:46 AM congrats on your POTD designation. Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 5:32 AM Thank you sara, my regards to Bill and you, sending you light always

Tania Kitchin May 28, 2026 at 3:45 AM Ink, a beautiful poem, full of emotion. I worked in the mental health field in the past for 28 years. BPD is a serious condition and often misunderstood. I know most of it is a result from severe trauma. Congratulations on POTD. a well deserved honor. Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 5:30 AM Wow thats amazing and impressive dear Tania, thank you for sharing and for also mentioning how misunderstood it is, I appreciate that so very much. And im grateful for your comment and support. Sending you light always

Ink Empress May 28, 2026 at 2:31 AM I am truly pleased this poem received POTD, especially as May is the month of Borderline Personality Disorder awareness. At the moment, I am traveling, but I will be responding to comments soon ~ and reading you all back too. Just a soft reminder: BPD is a complex mental health condition. It affects how a person feels, sees themselves, and relates to others. It can cause an intense fear of abandonment and unstable relationships. And can be cured thru therapy, self care etc.. Sending u all light

Karen Jones May 28, 2026 at 1:21 AM This is written with a very deep understanding of a tormented soul and reveals a raw beauty perhaps an aftermath of such torment and amazing courage to persevere in poetry with incredible raw power! There are no words to explain your genuinely written soul psalms. I just watch and embrace with wonder! Congratulations on a wonderful potd and your willingness to share this with us dearest Ink Empress! Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 5:26 AM You are just a beautiful soul dear karen! Honestly! I appreciate you so very sincerely! Thank you for pointing out lines you liked and for supporting me always! My heart is full! Sendin you light always!

Karen Jones May 28, 2026 at 1:17 AM “ am I to be crowned with blame, laced in regret and shame, while the mirror mirrors a pulse that pains in self-isolation, a soft-spoken sabotage, fearing every familiar flicker of fragranced starlight, questioning the silk and silver on moon-rivers, for even the beauty of love feels like temporary treachery, betraying bouquets of constellations…”

Lin Lane May 28, 2026 at 1:17 AM This one was written with more than heartfelt empathy. Recognition given as potd. Ink Empress June 2, 2026 at 5:11 AM Thank you so much dear Linnerz for appreciating this poem. Im grateful for your kindness always! Sending you light always

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