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Nepenthe

a cute child playing by herself accepts chocolate by stranger is taken to desolate shed where four men played until she bled hurriedly she was dropped where found a known passerby brought her home to scared dad, mother aghast cold who cradled half-dead six year old --- ostracized, no child plays with her no relatives cuddle or kiss _ cannot fathom glance of others _ shifting places baffles, bothers _ no nepenthe calms the wronged child no nepenthe numbs shocked parents their abused eyes stare at the gloom why the child? why? why? Questions loom

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Edward Ibeh

Date: 4/1/2025 4:28:00 AM

Thanks for your soupmail, Thriveni. Did you enter my contest late? I didn't see this wonderful poem - which would've placed - because I didn't go back to Round 1 to check for late submissions, which I usually do. I'm sorry about that.

thriveni c mysore
Date: 4/1/2025 8:09:00 AM

Thank you so much for your reply dear poet. Yes it was 32nd entry I guess. It is ok, I am glad you liked the poem, that is enough for me Sir. Thank you, you are kind. No worries.

David Crandall

Date: 3/2/2025 3:57:00 PM

Great poem, but what a horrible story.

thriveni c mysore
Date: 3/2/2025 8:51:00 PM

Yes sad it is. I rarely do such topics, but word Nepenthe made me think of this. There are shadows better left alone in this great architecture - the world, dear friend. thank you for the visit and time.

I Am Anaya

Date: 2/26/2025 2:52:00 PM

Oh Thriveni, sometimes we are thrown the horrors of what cowardly men do. I am so sorry this had to be a part of your life to endure. "God Does Not Give Us More Than We Can Handle" listen, If He made this promise then we must pray for strength and have faith. I hope those men rot in there place on earth. Dear poetess thank you for sharing. Be in peace ~ virtual hugs

thriveni c mysore
Date: 2/26/2025 6:19:00 PM

I chose to write on this incident that happened four weeks ago some 120 miles away from my hometown. This case was discussed in lawyers circle. It is heinous crime, sick. As you say it is act of cowardice. Thank you dear friend for your kind visit and words. I am grateful to you for your precious time and comments, hugs dear friend. thanks.

Maria Williams

Date: 2/26/2025 4:32:00 AM

This poem poignantly addresses the horror of child abuse with stark and unsettling imagery.The contrast between innocence and violence is jarring, making the reader confront the reality of such trauma. The imagery of a child playing alone, only to be taken by strangers, is heartbreaking. The poem doesn't shy away from the brutality of the act, which might be difficult to read but effectively conveys the magnitude of the pain and confusion both for the child and her parents. Very sad ...Maria

thriveni c mysore
Date: 2/26/2025 6:09:00 PM

Thank you for your kind visit dear poet. I am grateful to you for your review. well said, 'unsettling imagery'. thank you very much dear friend.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 2/25/2025 5:39:00 AM

A horrific story! What evil wants to harm the most innocent. They don’t find the broken, but long to break the most vulnerable. So sick and the poor parents that are forever changed as well, that endure the hell over and over again, in their imagination. A heavy rock around the neck of evil, plunged to the abyss…

thriveni c mysore
Date: 2/25/2025 11:37:00 PM

Unfortunately this is real story. The police, the media & officials kept pestering the child with questions to sadistic details. A good-hearted lawyer advised the parents to withdraw the complaint, drop all the charges and move on, he helped the family to settle as laborers in an estate far away from native with dignity. traumatic it is dear friend. I was in tears while writing this. your kind visit and comments offered comfort to me, thank you very much.