Scars

How they laugh and they point as they whisper ‘bout me
And they only can see what their shallow eyes see
Though my surface is not picture perfect for show
How this heart bleeds with purpose they never could know

Of the horrors and trials my soul has survived
Of the hell and the fury that killed me alive
I’ve been stripped of my honor and burnt at the stake
Made to live in a nightmare but could not awake

The atrocities bared on my face in display
Oh they cause you to cringe as your eyes turn away
And the truth is my scars are much deeper than face
Just a trace has been left of humanity’s grace

As they came in the dead of the night whilst we slept
Through the house down the hall they so silently crept
I was tied to a chair and with sickened disgust
Made to watch as my daughters defiled with their lust

Oh my sweet baby girls who I failed to protect
Now your innocence lives in my heart where you’re kept
As the flames and your screams took the last of my peace
Melting skin joined my tears as your souls found release

________________________________________
Written 1/2/2017 for Anapestic Tetrameter Contest
Sponsored by: Craig Cornish

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Silent One

Date: 1/22/2018 8:58:00 AM

Been meaning to read this again, Craig is a tough judge and for you to finish second amongst so many talented poets is a great compliment and a sign of your immense talent as a poet..

Judith S
Date: 1/22/2018 2:37:00 PM

I considered it a great honor to place in this contest indeed!!! This comment, coming from someone whose work I admire so greatly, just means the world to me! Thank you kind sir!!

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 1/20/2018 3:24:00 AM

Congrats on your wonderful win, Judy, I remember this crime so well ... it has stayed with me, so horrific and disgusting it was. No regard for life or anything else, these monsters, (who should be tortured to death) - Keep on writing on, my friend - blessings! :-)

Judith S
Date: 1/20/2018 7:55:00 PM

Thank you so much Greg!!! And much congrats to you as well!! ~ Judy

Line Gauthier

Date: 1/17/2018 9:07:00 PM

O my god, Judith. What hair raising lines. Troubling to say the least. Meticulously done. Congrats on your well deserved win.

Judith S
Date: 1/18/2018 2:21:00 AM

Thank you so very much for your comments Line! I really appreciate your visit :). ~ Judy

David Mohn

Date: 1/15/2018 9:46:00 AM

amazing poem Judy...congratulations on this well written horror story

Judith S
Date: 1/16/2018 11:07:00 AM

Thank you so much David! Appreciate you stopping by to read :) Best, Judy

John Gondolf

Date: 1/15/2018 8:22:00 AM

Judy, congrats on your well deserved win. John

Judith S
Date: 1/15/2018 8:29:00 AM

Thank you so much John!!!

Laura Leiser

Date: 1/14/2018 6:10:00 PM

Such a devastating and sad poem, so well written and deserving of a top win. Congrats. :)

Judith S
Date: 1/15/2018 5:35:00 AM

Thank you so much Laura!! Appreciate your visit :) ~Judy

Beautiful Scars

Date: 1/14/2018 2:18:00 PM

beautiful rhythm and rhyme, loved it congrats :)-luloo

Judith S
Date: 1/15/2018 5:34:00 AM

Thank you Luloo ;) ~Judy

Susan Ashley

Date: 1/14/2018 12:51:00 PM

Judy,returning with well deserved congratulations on your excellent win with your powerfully emotional poem. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

Judith S
Date: 1/15/2018 5:34:00 AM

Thank you so much Susan !!! ~Judy

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/7/2018 10:38:00 AM

I really hate that our system keeps such monsters alive. When there is no doubt whatsoever of someone's guilt for such a horrific crime, the death penalty is warranted. Instead, they get to live on our tax dollars a more comfortable life than homeless vets on the street. This was a really good description of the horror that poor man felt, Judith.

Judith S
Date: 1/7/2018 11:27:00 AM

Agreed Andrea!!!! What I would choose to do is to fly them to the most remote, deserted location ... and leave them. A lepers island. I know that sounds horrible, but why should such evil have any human comfort in life. And let God do with them as he will. Thanks for you comments and support ...as alway!!! ~ Judy

Joseph May

Date: 1/7/2018 6:35:00 AM

A horrific crime, the murderers should have got death....Powerful write...

Judith S
Date: 1/7/2018 7:27:00 AM

Agreed!!! Thanks for stopping by :) ~Judy

Maria Williams

Date: 1/7/2018 5:36:00 AM

An emotional scar of the worst kind. Does one ever get over trauma like this? A sentence of any kind will not justify this poor man's pain. Judy I congratulate you on this write, you have put a lot of emotion into this. Good luck in the contest...Maria xxx

Judith S
Date: 1/7/2018 7:24:00 AM

Dear Maria ... thank you sooo much for your meaningful comments! I always appreciate your support :) ~Judy

John Fleming

Date: 1/7/2018 4:17:00 AM

The scum that perpetrated this evil crime have received a sentence even more terrifying than a quick death: to be incarcerated behind bars, walls and razor wire for the rest of their natural lives -- and justifiably so!! May God in his infinite wisdom try and forgive them...because nobody else will. Powerful write, Judith. My best regards! :) john

Judith S
Date: 1/7/2018 7:20:00 AM

I agree John. Thanks so much for leaving your amazing comments!!! And for your support :) ~ Judy

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 1/6/2018 5:54:00 PM

We have had a few horrific events in the last few months. I makes one wonder about the human animal.

Judith S
Date: 1/7/2018 7:19:00 AM

Definitely so! Thanks for reading Richard :)

Afolabi Muideen

Date: 1/6/2018 11:24:00 AM

It pains me reading this gem. what a trauma!

Judith S
Date: 1/7/2018 7:15:00 AM

It as horrible! Thanks for visiting Afolabi.

Elaine George

Date: 1/6/2018 10:16:00 AM

What a heart-wrenching, powerful piece of writing, Judith. Sure to top the winner's list. Sincerely, Elaine

Judith S
Date: 1/7/2018 7:14:00 AM

Thank you Elaine for your meaningful comments! :)

Susan Ashley

Date: 1/5/2018 9:42:00 PM

Wow!! Judy, I remember this horrific case very well, as I live in Massachusetts and it dominated the news. Your poem is powerfully emotional throughout, yet so tender, your last stanza, and especially your last line, clutched at my heart and misted my eyes. Beautifully expressed in your heartbreaking imagery and rhyme. Your poet's note was awesome as well. Best wishes for a win! ~Susan

Judith S
Date: 1/7/2018 7:09:00 AM

Thank you Susan for your always amazing comments and support. Yes ... it dominated the news for a long time. This shattered a lot of people's idea that they are safe in their own homes.

Freddie Robinson Jr.

Date: 1/5/2018 3:17:00 PM

Very powerful poem, Judith! It made me sit up and think long. So graphic and gritty ... truth cut to the bone poetry. Great poem by a talented poetess. Love and joy always.

Judith S
Date: 1/7/2018 7:07:00 AM

Thank you so much Freddie!! These comments mean alot coming from you :) Best, Judy

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 1/5/2018 9:50:00 AM

Damn, this is impressive! I expect Craig will also be impressed. Such a horrific event, is it the story of the two little girls in Victoria? My heart aches for the family and especially their mom.

Judith S
Date: 1/5/2018 2:00:00 PM

Thank you for your visit Richard!! And I really appreciate your comments!!! You refer to B.C.?? I don't know about that. This happened where I live ... Connecticut USA. Shocking and horrible indeed! The stuff of nightmares!!! ~ Judy

Jack Ellison

Date: 1/4/2018 8:53:00 PM

Oh my God Judy, a indescribable tragedy described so well!!! Craig will have hard time ignoring this one! Love, Jack xxx

Judith S
Date: 1/5/2018 1:56:00 PM

I can't imagine what that poor father lives with every day! Thanks for your visit my lim friend!!! You see why I have to go visit YOU all the time?? Need some levity now and again!! <3 ~Judy

Mike Gentile

Date: 1/4/2018 9:52:00 AM

How amazingly horrific, Judy. You words perfectly convey the sadness. Good Luck !!

Judith S
Date: 1/4/2018 8:13:00 PM

Yes ... a tragic story. Thanks for your comments Mike!

Lewis Raynes

Date: 1/3/2018 7:32:00 PM

This is such an horrific event, once I began reading you took me down the path that i wanted to leave but i couldn't. amazing write Judy. I feel so much for the dad. :(

Judith S
Date: 1/4/2018 9:29:00 AM

Thank you so much Lewis! It is just horribly sad. It's hard to believe such evil exists in this world. And as a father, I'm sure you feel this even more so.

Arturo Michael

Date: 1/3/2018 5:41:00 PM

Even to read about it is difficult, to say the least... May their souls rest in peace...It's good that these words were written for eternity...All the best Judith

Judith S
Date: 1/4/2018 9:24:00 AM

Thank you Arturo. Heartwrenchingly sad and tragic ... indeed. ~ Judy

Silent One

Date: 1/3/2018 5:33:00 PM

Horrific poem based on horrific true event...You expressed the horror very well in this poem... meter sounds great..

Judith S
Date: 1/4/2018 9:23:00 AM

Thank you SO for your comments. Appreciate your read!

Elizabeth Kinch

Date: 1/3/2018 4:40:00 PM

Such a sad write displaying such evil within our world today, brought tears to my eyes. Be proud of this very moving write Judith.

Judith S
Date: 1/4/2018 9:22:00 AM

Thank you so much for your comments Elizabeth. Although it is a very sad topic, as a poet it fulfills me to bring the emotion to you through my words. ~ Judy