Get Your Premium Membership

March of the Marionette Premiere Contest Winner

Poet's Notes
(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Carolyn Devonshire.


This was inspired by a childhood friend who, right after high school, married a man who allowed her no sense of self.  They are no longer together.

He spoke on her behalf, as she was not allowed For if he let her speak, he feared truth might come out A dutiful partner, she cooked, cleaned and laundered Lying in bed at night, her mind often wandered How did it come to this, puppet and puppeteer? Her dignity long gone, when did hope disappear? She’d vowed to love and honor but “obey” proved too much For a delicate soul who sought a loving touch He had it made, he thrived knowing she’d do his will Mindless ventriloquist had seeds of love to kill So why was he surprised when he came home one day To find his puppet missing for she had gone away Take heed, all have free will equality will reign Suppressed dreams are still there control can make love wane *June 17, 2018 For Anthony’s “Ventriloquist” Contest

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 10/9/2018 5:17:00 PM
This reminds me of the film with Amy Adams called Big Eyes. Margaret Keane had a pattern of this kind of trouble. We hope these patterns will be repeated less often, but I am uncertain as it appears that bullying is with us institutionally.
Login to Reply
Date: 9/21/2018 5:48:00 PM
There are many facets to a diamond, and who Knows where he'd got his pattern for life For there are many 'bad life patterns' just like The facets of a diamond, yet shedding darkness & sadness Rather than light and hope, Lots to Think on, and so forth is my order of the day, God bless you Carolyn.'
Login to Reply
Date: 7/5/2018 9:42:00 AM
Like a caged bird she lost the will to sing. No wonder she flew away to find freedom and thus be able to live happily again. Never an easy decision to make, but in time it becomes a necessity. Belated congrats on placing first! Hugs // paul
Login to Reply
Date: 6/27/2018 8:57:00 AM
Way to go Carolyn, congrats on being honoured.
Login to Reply
Date: 6/26/2018 9:05:00 PM
Congratulations on your wonderful trophy win for this deserving poem Carolyn!
Login to Reply
Date: 6/26/2018 6:48:00 PM
Also, a BIG WOW and congrats for your trophy win here!
Login to Reply
Date: 6/26/2018 6:47:00 PM
Carolyn. I see Jack was on your account trying to figure things out!! You did a beautiful job with your contest and the judging. Thanks for my placement. I was thrilled to see Connie's get a third place!!
Login to Reply
Devonshire Avatar
Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 6/27/2018 4:36:00 PM
Connie has a special prize coming to her. Hope I can mail it tomorrow. Rushing around getting ready to leave for South Florida. Have a great Fourth of July!
Date: 6/24/2018 12:32:00 PM
Hi hon, it's Jack - I've logged on & tried to find our entries here (as I see the contest closed) but I'm lost in Soup's maze-like menu, LOL. Please could you send me the entries (or tell me how to see them)? Love this poem, by the way. Was this the Poem of the Day that you mentioned? It should be POTD for ever!!!!!! OK, logging off now xxx
Login to Reply
Date: 6/24/2018 9:21:00 AM
Congrats on a very well deserved win Carolyn; a superb depiction of a very controlling husband!~Che :)
Login to Reply
Date: 6/23/2018 9:03:00 PM
Congratulations on your win with this important but sad poem. :)
Login to Reply
Date: 6/23/2018 3:10:00 PM
Surprise indeed. Congrats on your well deserved gold medal win, Carolyn.
Login to Reply
Date: 6/23/2018 8:56:00 AM
Carolyn, back to say congrats on your trophy win! Nicely done my friend. John
Login to Reply
Date: 6/22/2018 11:11:00 AM
Your poem, Carolyn, is a testimony to the sad truth that many men fail to understand, let along appreciate, women.
Login to Reply
Devonshire Avatar
Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 6/22/2018 3:03:00 PM
Sad that this happens. Thanks for reading LJ.
Date: 6/21/2018 7:39:00 PM
I wish I could have thought up THIS one, Carolyn. Just returning here to let you know I contacted Jack. I'll let you know if he says anything. (my ventriloquist poem is so lame)
Login to Reply
Devonshire Avatar
Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 6/22/2018 3:04:00 PM
Hey, I liked your poem, Andrea!
Date: 6/21/2018 12:53:00 PM
Very nicely penned, Carolyn, my thoughts on this contest were similar but I decided not to enter it. Yours is so much better than I could have done. Best of luck. John
Login to Reply
Date: 6/20/2018 4:19:00 PM
Your last line totally encapsulates the content of your poem so well Carolyn. It is sad when a wife or a husband feels powerless in a controlling marriage. They usually dont survive. Well done! : )
Login to Reply
Date: 6/20/2018 9:40:00 AM
Oh, my my. reminds me of the powers to be, and the rest of the human race..brilliant poem, Carolyn..a winner for me...
Login to Reply
Date: 6/19/2018 12:16:00 PM
My mom's relationship with my dad was like this. Very well expressed Carolyn. Good luck in the contest.
Login to Reply
Devonshire Avatar
Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 6/19/2018 5:46:00 PM
I'm sorry to hear that.
Date: 6/19/2018 8:26:00 AM
How sad when this happens, you described it so poetically and the contest prompt inspired you to write a brilliant piece..
Login to Reply
Date: 6/18/2018 10:47:00 PM
Superbly written my friend...yours takes the cake, Carolyn...love and light...^WW^
Login to Reply
Date: 6/17/2018 8:35:00 PM
It takes a lot of guts to leave and usually turns out very bad. Masterfully written Carolyn. I look forward to seeing it on the winner's list!
Login to Reply
Devonshire Avatar
Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 6/19/2018 9:41:00 AM
It took her 20 years to leave him. All of their efforts had been focused on his career. She was very bright, but had no skills. It wasn't easy to leave, but she definitely made the right move. Thanks for commenting, Daniel.
Date: 6/17/2018 5:23:00 PM
A great take on the theme. I too have written something in a similar vein. It's too bad men cannot allow their wives the freedom just to be who they are. I mean really?? Good luck in the contest, sweetie.
Login to Reply
Date: 6/17/2018 4:51:00 PM
How we often hear of stories like this,everything is rosy in the early days then everything changes overnight and it becomes a nightmare, thankfully she managed to get away but sadly many remain trapped. Good luck. Tom.
Login to Reply
Devonshire Avatar
Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 6/19/2018 9:43:00 AM
He had caused her to lose touch with all her friends; they were not welcome at his house. It has been rough going for her, but she knows she had to break free and find herself again. Thanks for reading, Tom
Date: 6/17/2018 3:57:00 PM
Carolyn you have made my day as I too have written on a similar type of theme but our poems are so so different. I am saddened to read its a true story but delighted she managed to break free from this control freak:-) hugs jan xx
Login to Reply
Date: 6/17/2018 3:01:00 PM
- Dear Carolyn, I think there are many such marriages .... even in the year 2018 - Sad but true - Thanks for the warm words on my poem: - I Love The Feeling And The Way It Smells - Always nice to see you :) - Best wishes in the contest - hugs and love // Anne-Lise :)
Login to Reply

Book: Reflection on the Important Things