Get Your Premium Membership

Narelle's Peril

Chained undulations drew lustful admiration 
Hungry hands grabbed slender agile ankles
" Hey, -  let her go. A beautiful lady dancing,
Appreciate her", handsome stranger asserted


Narelle, ocean haired sequin harem allure, noted
Broad shouldered, neatly attired stranger 
Held clenched fist on table, chest tensed
Touches from spectators ceased, she owed him


More than brawn, chat churned vivid as current 
Unattended plates laid wasted on their first date
Passion unleashed her preventative heart, he knew
How to surface her deepest expression, soft coral


His protective nature became a beast to behold
A hundred questions followed her nights at work
Scrutiny of each action she took darkened her outlook
Taunting, belittling were plentiful pawns in his strategy


"I need to leave you," sobbingly declared, her dreams smashed
Twelve tumultuous months of shared living sent apparent
Signs of his worsening control, irrational temper burst forth
Without notice, outrage, accusations and dinner plates flew


Narelle knew instinctively, she'd have to flee far, fresh start
Social strings which held her cut in order to break the chains
Echoing bedroom, sterile kitchen mocked his masculinity
Clamped jaw injected injustice rippling rife in his aching ribs


Dazzled as a bird whose tree's been torn away, she spun in despair
Overwhelming pain gave way to glimmer of next season
Encircled elastic clamps gradually granted brighter realms
Inhibited dreams seasoned her mind's menu with a decent man




               17th August 2020

                Written for Contest : Woman In Chains

                Sponsor : John Hamilton 

  Inspired by the song video clip of Woman In Chains
                     by Tears For Fears

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020




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

Date: 9/2/2020 4:55:00 PM
Sigrid, this is an amazing write. Your imagery is so full and robust, the phrasing is lyrical. You are a wonderful story teller. I wanted to know what happened. I so love the hope that shines out at the end. Congratulations and kudos!
Login to Reply
Date: 9/1/2020 8:57:00 PM
Great write, Sigrid. I think this should have been the top winner. This is outstanding.
Login to Reply
Ermine Avatar
Sigrid Ermine
Date: 9/1/2020 10:01:00 PM
Expletive! Cheers, bud.
Date: 9/1/2020 3:36:00 PM
Congratulations, Sigrid, on your great win!!
Login to Reply
Ermine Avatar
Sigrid Ermine
Date: 9/1/2020 10:27:00 PM
Ta very mooch, Newton.
Date: 9/1/2020 8:48:00 AM
Thanks Sigrid for your entry, congrats on placing in my contest!
Login to Reply
Ermine Avatar
Sigrid Ermine
Date: 9/1/2020 10:25:00 PM
Thank you, John. Clip made writing story a complete pleasure, like ordering pizza!
Date: 8/28/2020 11:01:00 AM
Sigrid I am just in awe after reading your poems,to be honest a little envious as well.You are an amazing poet with an outstanding vocabulary .God bless you
Login to Reply
Ermine Avatar
Sigrid Ermine
Date: 8/28/2020 2:16:00 PM
God bless you, Garima. I appreciate your commenting. Checking over into your page now..
Date: 8/27/2020 7:27:00 AM
It's very kind of you to say. Thank you, Charlotte.
Login to Reply
Date: 8/18/2020 7:11:00 PM
The title immediately reminded me of the band 'Alice in Chains' and the style and feeling of the poem reminds me of the band too. The poem starts out good, but as the it continues, each stanza advances both in technique and depth. The last two stanzas - excellent.
Login to Reply
Carmack Avatar
Rob Carmack
Date: 8/21/2020 4:34:00 PM
Back in the day, I was not a fan of Alice in Chains, it was many years after their peak that I really 'discovered' them.
Ermine Avatar
Sigrid Ermine
Date: 8/18/2020 8:05:00 PM
'Man In A Box' released 1990, same time approx. as Woman In Chains. A good clip, also in black white sepia.
Ermine Avatar
Sigrid Ermine
Date: 8/18/2020 8:04:00 PM
... Just looked at an Alice In Chains clip, knew of them, but never a fan particularly. 'Man In ABix
Ermine Avatar
Sigrid Ermine
Date: 8/18/2020 7:44:00 PM
Oh my gosh, Rob. It's so cool that you read it. Thank you! The video John had us watch for this spelt it out. Thank you, my dear.

Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry