On the Crest of a Wave

Trauma stained 
my innocence, 
before I knew 
that the sunless 
sky lost its glory
to doomed darkness,
an empathetic gaze
which roamed beneath my 
saffron skin, 
an ungodly vulture
disguised as a gracious 
guide, whilst waking up
to wrinkled sheets of satin, 
which burnt and betrayed 
my virtue as an offspring-
as virginal petals
stained in blood,
drenched me in 
cruel flashbacks.

I swam against 
ghastly ghosts, 
searching for 
cosmic lilies,
floating on the crest
of a wave,
through unholy rivers, 
baptizing darkest sins
of my exploited mind. 

l've tasted sparkling
saline streaming 
down tall murky falls,
Every ripple graphically
reminding me of 
my childhood tears, 
secrets which scarred
my strained soul 
into suppression,
allowing dark voices in 
my head to control 
every aspect of 
my conscience, 
questioning the stars 
that dimmed 
their silver on me.
Was my fatigued 
smile a written consent
to the bloodthirsty breezes, 
brutally invading 
every untouched cell?
Did I blindly sing 
along to their lullaby?
Or have I been cursed
before I saw 
the first light of life?
Perhaps these 
questions will 
forever haunt me, 
there's no right 
answer when 
the ugly truth 
has stolen every 
reason to place my 
trust in the 
unkind mind 
of the humankind, 
for the devil resides
in their shameless 
shadows, singing hellish clarity.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Ibeh Avatar
September 25, 2023 at 8:29 PM
IE, this is simply phenomenal! Heartiest congratulations on your top win in my contest!
Fowler Avatar
September 10, 2023 at 6:56 AM
I felt the anguish in this one as I was reading. A touching tale of sorrow and resident evil. Nicely done! :)
Anaya Avatar
September 5, 2023 at 12:21 PM
We don’t have the luxury of long explanations or lines of description. And yet, your poetic gifts leave a huge impact. Metaphorically you show us physical anguish wrapped in satin sheets. Soulful are the deep emotions. Acoustics are off the wall, your tempo, style and for a very "important cause". A voice for the silent and suffering, this should be awarded. You hit the reader fast and hard with the most evocative language. With that said, "Congratulations" on your win! I'm so very impressed~Anaya
Empress Avatar
September 10, 2023 at 12:58 PM
Thank you for this profound comment truly you are a gem, you felt the depth of this and i cant express my gratitude enough. Appreciate you beautiful soul
Sharma  Avatar
September 3, 2023 at 8:18 PM
Back here with a heartiest congratulations for your magnificent winning in the contest my dear Ink, this write truly deserved it, it's extremely poignant and profound..
Volumes Avatar
September 3, 2023 at 5:31 PM
There are few things more heartbreaking than when a friend with whom you had shared, turns against you. Your poem holds truth and wisdom. It is profound and sincerely praise worthy. Congratulations from SV
Severo Avatar
August 26, 2023 at 10:05 PM
a lovely poem!
George Avatar
August 26, 2023 at 7:31 PM
What a traumatic experience through which you passed taking you to a drastic realization that venom lies behind every fang. Fictional or real, it is an unpalatable truth that guardian angels can sometimes turn monsters. After trusting someone, when betrayal comes, it is heart shattering ! Empress, you continue to be an empress in poetic prowess with your soul piercing images and amazing display of feelings. Even after reading this, the pain lingers !
Sharma  Avatar
August 26, 2023 at 9:20 AM
Oh gosh, my dearest Ink, this is an extremely heart-wrenching and painstaking piece that made me shed many tears.. Sigh, my fingers tremble as I type this because even to think about this is terrifying.. Your metaphors, imagery, alliteration and vivid poetical skills hued with colours and adjectives are so immaculately articulated. The emotions, definitely dark and just extract the soul out from the body. You're one of the topmost poetesses whom I adore, because your heart is truly precious..
Empress Avatar
August 26, 2023 at 11:32 AM
Im so sorry my angelic star, sigh, this should come with a trigger warning really. Thank you for feeling me n your heart is precious too, bless you
Sharma  Avatar
August 26, 2023 at 9:22 AM
Abuse in any form is traumatic and you've depicted how one got betrayed by a person whom she considered to be a ray of her light, only proving to be the whole spectrum of darkness.. The guiding angel turned out to be a ravenous vulture.. I can't quote a single line because all of this has blown my mind away..
Lindley Avatar
August 26, 2023 at 7:32 AM
My friend, this is a masterpiece in my humble opinion. Every verse lends to its mounting powers. Such fantastic descriptive language and one can see the beating heart in it. So graphic, the reader thinks that it may have actually occurred. A true gem and a fav...God bless you.
Lindley Avatar
August 26, 2023 at 7:57 AM
Thank you my friend. As mental health advocate you do noble work and God blesses you for it. God bless...
Empress Avatar
August 26, 2023 at 7:39 AM
Thank you so much, i am so grateful for your support and yes as a mental health advocate i can only be the voice for many that suffer in silence. And i wish this will stop … thank you so much ..
Poet Avatar
August 26, 2023 at 6:11 AM
This poem is an extraordinary display of poetic brilliance, showcasing an abundance of exquisite verses and breathtaking imagery that is skillfully painted with words. You delve deep into the turmoil of the mind, grappling with the overwhelming task of finding meaning in the horror of abuse or heinous acts committed by someone they believed to be trustworthy. The metaphors employed throughout the poem add a layer of depth and complexity, enhancing the overall beauty and impact of the writing.
Empress Avatar
August 26, 2023 at 7:38 AM
Wow you have an eye for details as a reader, you are not just a brilliant poet but also an eloquent reader that grasps the emotions within hazy metaphors, i am grateful for your support. As this was a difficult write
Seeker Avatar
August 25, 2023 at 9:48 PM
A familiar, horrific tale and yet, impossible as it sounds, the wounded soul can and must, rise like Phoenix, soaring to zenith heights, looking not backward in time.
Empress Avatar
August 26, 2023 at 7:37 AM
Yes, true, and sometimes we can only be the voice to many that suffer in silence. Thank you so much truly for being supportive
Baker Avatar
August 25, 2023 at 4:04 PM
A terrifying experience as a child or young person. It can so easily distort a person's view of life itself. You share the mental anguish, the struggle to make sense of abuse or ungodly acts by someone you feel the need to trust. If this is your personal experience, I pray that healing may come to you. Thanks for sharing a needed message with us Ink. Smiles and Hugs Bill
Empress Avatar
August 26, 2023 at 7:36 AM
It is every writer, poets, honor to receive feedback like yours, truly grateful that you understood my poem and felt it. As a mental health advocate, i can only let many brave souls know, they are not alone. Thank you again.
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