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Plagued by Memories Premiere Contest Winner

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Written on April 20th 2025 for Empress's Plagued by Memories contest.

Like an albatross enfolded around my silencing throat, squeezing ever tighter, asphyxiating on sins not of my own. A scarlet letter has been placed upon my weeping chest; without hesitation, punishment has been handed down. Rusted shackles placed around pleading ankles. "I'm innocent," I whimper, yet the hushed cries land on deaf ears. Led to my provisional prison, an iron-wrought door slams shut. The glow of a makeshift torch illuminates the dirt floor. As my eyes adjust, I see it's covered in blood and hay. Suddenly, surges of panic course through me. Collapsing to my knees, I vomit, while tears of anguish slide down my cheeks. Like an out-of-body experience, I'm transported back to that fateful night— his menacing presence looming in the shadows, following footstep for footstep. I run faster, no time to look back, but I feel this is all for naught. The more distance I try to put between us, the more I feel his putrid breath on the back of my neck, until he is on top of me. My mind dizzies as I black out, waking up as the rain descends upon me. I'm back in my cold prison, plagued by memories that are still unclear. The gallows await me, for transgressions of a monster's doing.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025




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Date: 4/28/2025 8:26:00 AM
Horrific. A compelling though painful and poignant write, Sara. Congratulations on your trophy win.
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Date: 4/25/2025 11:56:00 PM
Congrats! Thanks for sharing this. God bless you.
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Sara Jama
Date: 4/28/2025 6:38:00 AM
Thank you so much.
Date: 4/25/2025 1:27:00 PM
Dear Sara, your dark, rich imagery is striking in its victimization. The angst and sorrow is palpably felt in your emotive and evocative verse. To me, it has an old world feeling to it but yet there is a modern reality to it too in knowing that, in some places around the world, women are still treated like this today.. paying the ultimate price for a "monster's" sin. Congratulations for your success in Ink's contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
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Sara Jama
Date: 4/28/2025 6:39:00 AM
Thank you so much for the kind words. I appreciate the support.
Date: 4/25/2025 12:53:00 AM
Dear Sara, I felt this powerful poem so deeply, as right now especially it hits deep, when i first read it i didnt like the rawness of the poem but then when i read two days later with all that im witnessing right now, how women are silenced , how predators lurk and misuse and abuse their masculinity , a toxic weapon, often, and how women do not have power and are prisoners of the torture they endured and fought, in silence, youv depicted them all so well, especially love the opening line and the ending here! The worst kind of memories that one would wish they had amnesia or something to forget them! FAV! Congratulations on your well deserved trophy win!
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Sara Jama
Date: 4/28/2025 6:38:00 AM
Thank you so much Ink for placing me in your contest.
Date: 4/25/2025 12:36:00 AM
This is a searing, powerful piece that reminiscent to The Scarlet Letter in its raw portrayal of unjust punishment and societal hypocrisy. “A scarlet letter has been placed upon my weeping chest” resonates deepl. It’s tragic how shame is forced upon the innocent. “I'm innocent,” I whimper underscores how society too often silences women while shielding perpetrators. Your vivid imagery and emotional depth bring the tragedy of misdirected blame chillingly to life. Well deserved to win my love.
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Sara Jama
Date: 4/28/2025 6:39:00 AM
Thank you so much my love.
Date: 4/20/2025 10:20:00 AM
That's terribly gripping, Sara, and you put your readers into the scene.
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Sara Jama
Date: 4/20/2025 10:23:00 AM
Thank you very much.

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