My Heart Stopped Beating

Laying her back on the wall of her prison
Why was it different
It hurt more
Shocked more
Chest heavy
Grief affecting her
This terrible ache consuming every pore
Harder to swallow
It was him she's sure

She loons at me
I know the look
She's hiding behind the sofa
Saying he's been back banging on the door
I know it was the tumble dryer upstairs
Her eyes are bloodshot
A beautiful bright blue bloodshot
Wide as fish eyes
She's been pacing all night holding a knife
She's holding an umbrella
I took the knives last time she cut her wrists
She's in torn clothes as she tears at her flesh
I feel my flesh tear
That's her last nice dress
No longer nice but torn and red
I give her trousers and a belt
My own only just brought
They drown her
At least she's covered
She says he's been calling her all night on the phone
I took the phone when she smashed it on the wall
I try to think of everything
In the bathroom there's hair in the chipped shabby sink
She's been pulling it out by the roots
I feel my scalp it's sore, alien
I feel everything
I removed the scissors when she shredded her scalp cutting her hair off
Saying this is why he had her
Her long golden hair
My hair
Lithium pills
In the cabinet, too many
Too many pills
She should of taken these

She calms
I calm
Promising to take her pills, begging don't send me back to hell
But at the secure unit she's safe 
I'm safe
Says she'll have a bath and 
be better tomorrow
She's settled, I'm settled
So I leave
I'll come back in the morning
I sleep soundly
First night in months
The morning light gives me slight hope
I can't remember this feeling much

I hear a crash 
I run
I'm taking too long
Kicking the door in
I thank God for kickboxing
She's swinging from the oak beam in the ceiling
My belt around her neck
Juddering
I look for a knife
I look for scissors 
To cut her down
Cut me down
I look for a phone to call an ambulance

I feel my body juddering
My heart stop beating
The belt
The new belt
I hadn't thought about the belt
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Agustin Avatar
September 12, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Thanks for sharing this... exposing your thoughts through your unique poetic style. Meanwhile, I greet you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed.
Breidenthal Avatar
November 25, 2014 at 4:16 PM
That was exceedingly intense. *rereading* ...wow... this is a very powerful piece. "Her eyes are bloodshot A beautiful bright blue bloodshot Wide as fish eyes" Those lines are so very vivid in my mind. Excellent piece!!! Always, Laura
Known Nothing Avatar
November 25, 2014 at 4:24 PM
Thank you so much for the comment I'm taking your time reading it .
Horne Avatar
November 25, 2014 at 3:41 PM
very powerful indeed, my friend - so glad to see this was poem of the day
Kithinji Avatar
September 22, 2014 at 5:39 AM
The belt... neither did I!!
Yaseen Avatar
September 21, 2014 at 11:55 PM
Many many congrats.. A wonderful write indeed.
Known Nothing Avatar
September 22, 2014 at 5:15 AM
Thanks
Yvonne Avatar
September 21, 2014 at 4:37 PM
WOW! You did so well now you are going to have to change your name.
Andresen Avatar
September 21, 2014 at 12:01 PM
- Congrats : "Poem of the Day" !!!!! // Anne-Lise :)
Known Nothing Avatar
September 21, 2014 at 12:07 PM
Cheers lovey. X
Allison Avatar
September 21, 2014 at 9:54 AM
incredibly powerful write I can see why its poem of the day:-) Hugs Jan - its a 7 from me too:-)
Allison Avatar
September 21, 2014 at 10:18 AM
Oh LKN you are too kind! I still have so much to learn but am growing is skill and confidence every day :-) Hugs Jan xx
Known Nothing Avatar
September 21, 2014 at 10:17 AM
Thanks it's lovely that you thought it was worth commenting on seeing as your such an extraordinary poet yourself. Xx l.k.n
Mcdaid Avatar
September 21, 2014 at 8:36 AM
outstanding piece of writing excellent pen
Known Nothing Avatar
September 21, 2014 at 10:14 AM
Thank you loads
Yvonne Avatar
September 21, 2014 at 6:48 AM
Congratulations on being poem of the day. This is a well deserved win for you.
Known Nothing Avatar
September 21, 2014 at 10:13 AM
Thank you Maurice. I do believe you helped get me here. Oxo L.k.n
Smith Avatar
September 21, 2014 at 5:01 AM
Congrats on being the feature poem of the day....hugs Tim
Known Nothing Avatar
September 21, 2014 at 6:18 AM
Cheer mate. Oo.xxx. L.k.n.
Walker  Avatar
September 21, 2014 at 1:52 AM
I enjoyed this a lot... You have defined the theme very well. In awe, it took me by surprise. Do you mind if I rate it a 7? Sending a smile, Verlena.
Known Nothing Avatar
September 21, 2014 at 6:19 AM
Wow a 7 wicked thank you for taking the time to read my poem. And a 7 is really welcome. O.x.o L.k.n
Smith Avatar
September 20, 2014 at 4:46 PM
Very well done piece...I love the dialog within the lines..hugs Tim
Smith Avatar
September 20, 2014 at 5:24 PM
I was messing around with Maurice...lol
Known Nothing Avatar
September 20, 2014 at 4:56 PM
Thank you for that. Means a lot taking time to comment, l.k.n
Known Nothing Avatar
September 20, 2014 at 4:56 PM
Help you ???
Yvonne Avatar
September 20, 2014 at 1:47 PM
You can always ask me for any help you need with anything on here.
Yvonne Avatar
September 20, 2014 at 5:30 PM
Sure but aren't you the want who helped me. Circles everything is circles.
Smith Avatar
September 20, 2014 at 4:42 PM
Can you help me ?
Known Nothing Avatar
September 20, 2014 at 1:48 PM
Thanks for the advice I'll defiantly look at theirs this eve. L.k.n x
Yvonne Avatar
September 20, 2014 at 1:46 PM
Its my pleasure. I will add you to my fav poet and make sure I comment on as much of your work as I can. If you look at any of my writes you will find Casarah, Tim and Jan. All three of them will comment on yours when you comment on theirs. If you check the poem of the week it is my piece about the three of them and me. I ended up getting a lot of favs on it because it was just fun. That is why I faved yours. The more favs your poem gets the more exposure you get. Also the comments help.
Yvonne Avatar
September 20, 2014 at 1:35 PM
I rated it a seven and I will fav it.
Known Nothing Avatar
September 20, 2014 at 1:36 PM
Thank you for reading it really means a lot to me
Yvonne Avatar
September 20, 2014 at 1:34 PM
WOW!!!! You floored me. I didn't see it coming. This is brilliant in so many ways. I love it.
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