Gregory Richard Barden Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Love, Torn

monogamy ...
               shredded by actuality
          there, on the cold cotton sheets
      lay the discarded remnants of my pride
   torn into shameful shards and ragged strips of infidelity
 and hidden deep within the shadow of a broken heart
no draft of recompense would be worthy barter
               nor apt or artful atonement ... not anymore
              I'd spied the cur's face, you see
            the blackguard's gaze had found me upon escape
         and returned it, did I, with exacting ire
     alas, had it the force of a bullet, (oh, haste!)
naught but ruin would have stained those moments
               those far-too-brief-but-endless caught-in-the-act moments
          yet such looks are only messages, not weapons
      besides, it was she with the bloody apron
   she who held the blade, firm ... steady
 who drew its rusty edge across my heart, and thrust ...
he ... merely twisted it.






~ 1st Place ~  in the "One In Four" Poetry Contest, Joseph May, Judge & Sponsor.

(Line chosen - "Within the shadow of a broken heart")

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

John Hamilton August 26, 2019 at 12:40 PM Knew it...what did I say? winner another obvious choice for a top win!

Connie Marcum Wong August 25, 2019 at 5:49 PM Wow! I see why this is a top winner Greg. There is some pretty graphic imagery in this poem about a broken heart. Congratulations on your deserving win! xxoo

Jan Allison August 25, 2019 at 2:47 PM Love the theme and the twist at the end, you are a great story teller greg:-) many congratulations on your win :-) Hugs Jan xx

Beautiful Scars August 25, 2019 at 12:08 PM deeply beautiful dear Gregory, congrats :)-luloo

John Gondolf August 25, 2019 at 11:42 AM What a great write, Greg, congrats oh your well deserved first place. John

Georgia Kereopa August 25, 2019 at 9:07 AM Wow, impassioned. Congratulations on your win.

John Lawless August 25, 2019 at 8:53 AM GREAT LAST LINE......the cut of the cut...Beautifully painful composition Greg.

Joseph May August 25, 2019 at 8:26 AM Love cast aside leaving just the pieces of what was..Congrats on your win Greg..

Chris Green August 20, 2019 at 1:35 PM The was really nice Greg. The darkness of that shadow, which we know is long and sometimes forever, is eerily expressed in your poem. That ending was killer, one of the best I have read. Best of luck in the contest Gregory Richard Barden August 21, 2019 at 6:37 AM Oh, thank you SO kindly, Chri8s ... as you know, your opinion is one of those I trust and value the most here, (truly), and I'm so pleased you enjoyed this one. Blessings, my friend! :o)

John Hamilton August 20, 2019 at 8:45 AM Oooh what a story...and with a twist in the end, great write as always with unique word combinations, eg ragged strips of infidelity, so descriptive, I feel another winner has arrived! Gregory Richard Barden August 21, 2019 at 6:35 AM Ha - nice pun, Buddy, ("twist" at the end) ... I hope you're right, but never count on it ... the best prizes are kind comments from folks like you, those who still take time to come by. Blessings and thanks, my friend! :o)