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Silently She Drowns

Drifting between love and hate
chained spread-eagled in a tug-of-war 
of extreme emotions pulling relentlessly;
her body aches ... her mind bubbling,
a boiling cauldron pleading for release.
In her parched throat a stifled scream
soundlessly quivers, then retreats
into the dark chasm deep within
cowering in the chilly dungeon
where her heart lies slowly bleeding.
Torn to shreds her dreams hang
in front of her misty eyes, blurred...
she struggles between the choice
of fire and water, courage and defeat.

A key turns...the door slams...footsteps.

His loud voice calls; her body trembles
as yet again she reluctantly succumbs 
to overpowering waves of helplessness...
Silently she drowns in fearful anticipation.

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[Many women suffer in silence while struggling with abusive relationships.
This B&W picture reflects the dark mood of this poem.]
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26th April, 2016
Being Invisible Contest#2 by Skat A

Copyright © Paul Callus | Year Posted 2016

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Susan Ashley Date: 2/21/2018 1:28:00 PM A heartbreaking and chilling portrayal of domestic abuse Paul. Shining a poetic light on this sad subject, as elegantly and as eloquently as you do, brings abuse out of its dark shadows and lets us see in the light of day the faces of these monsters and the emotions of and the devastating effects upon these emotionally trapped victims. Excellently expressed. Warmest wishes. ~Susan Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 2/21/2018 2:04:00 PM Thank you for the excellent summarization of these lines, Susan. Always a pleasure to read your thoughts. ~ Sending you warm regards // paul

Sofia Ra Date: 10/20/2016 9:59:00 AM A very unfortunate truth.very sad but written beautifully Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/20/2016 11:56:00 AM Thank you for pausing here to read and comment, Sofia. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Regards // paul

Laura Hay Date: 8/10/2016 7:10:00 AM The shame has drained her power sadly. Its good these subjects are more spoken /written about making people more aware that its not acceptable to feel your in this position. Sad subject but excellent work Paul!! Warm regards, Laura. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 8/11/2016 11:51:00 AM Thank you for the insightful feedback, Laura. I think it is important to bring such topics to people's attention. Warm regards, paul

Edlynn Nau Date: 5/14/2016 4:06:00 PM Reminds me so much of Camelot with the pulling apart of Guinevere between Sir Lancelot & King Arthur. I know this is a gem because I forgot completely it was free verse. Great skill here and loved the scathing struggle weather this was intended to be an affair, a lustful love for one and a comfortable love for the other, or that hopeless experience of being fully in love with two people at once. Whatever the intention, it earns a 7. Login to Reply

Lindsay Laurie Date: 5/9/2016 8:43:00 PM G'day Paul ... wow; your poem is almost chilling but unfortunately very real Paul. Thank you - Lindsay Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/10/2016 5:08:00 PM Thank you for stopping by, Lindsay; love your comments, too! Hope you're keeping well. ~ Regards // paul

Kelly Deschler Date: 5/9/2016 7:38:00 PM No one should feel like someone else's plaything. Women need to love themselves more and leave those who would harm them for their own sake... A dark subject, but you brought it to light and I hope it helps someone who may be dealing with this right now... Excellent work, Paul. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/10/2016 4:52:00 PM Thank you very much for the feedback and for liking, Kelly. I wish these victims would find the strength and courage to break free from their abusers! ~ Regards // paul

Constance La France Date: 5/9/2016 4:22:00 PM Paul, congratulations on this powerful write placing in the contest, wonderfully penned Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/9/2016 4:32:00 PM Thank you Constance! I enjoyed your winning entry....I saw your name a few rungs above mine:) ~ Warm regards // paul

Funom Makama Date: 5/9/2016 1:27:00 PM Excellent. This is great and awesome. A definite 7 Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/9/2016 3:29:00 PM "Excellent" & "Awesome" plus the high rating are truly appreciated, Funom! Thank you!! ~ Regards // paul

Poet Destroyer A Date: 5/8/2016 6:45:00 PM paul callus, Congratulations on your win. Always ~LINDA~ Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/9/2016 11:38:00 AM Many thanks, Linda:) I have not been around much...must go and see if you have any new posts! ~ Regards // paul

Skat A Date: 5/8/2016 5:02:00 PM Paul, Congratulations on your awesome win. Stop by and enjoy my latest blog, "American Dream." if you'd like. Hope you are enjoying your day. Happy Mother's Day **SKAT** Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/9/2016 11:33:00 AM So pleased to be on your winners' list, Skat.....thank you!! ~ Regards // paul

Angie Thomas Date: 5/5/2016 7:02:00 AM This one burned my heart.. I am speechless... Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/6/2016 3:59:00 PM I understand, Angie; it is not easy to talk of this kind of abuse, to express our emotions...unable to offer words of comfort to those who suffer in silence....while anger is felt for the perpetrators! ~ Regards // paul

Bl Devnath Date: 5/2/2016 2:37:00 PM Excellent poem read from you my lovely friend. Loved always, bl Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/2/2016 3:47:00 PM Thank you BL. So glad that you found this to your liking. ~ All the best // paul

Pandita Sietesantos Date: 5/2/2016 8:17:00 AM Paul, in this profoundly provocative and powerful piece, you have creatively crafted and captured the horrors of abuse and the silence of sufferers who drown in their pain! This is such an excellent, heartwrenching write that unfortunately too many people can identify with. A-7 of course and good luck in the contest my friend! Warmest regards. Pandita Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/2/2016 9:01:00 AM How lovely it is to have you stopping by, Pandita! Thank you for the insightful comments, and the high rating. It's good to see you posting again. ~ Warm regards // paul

Charlotte Puddifoot Date: 5/2/2016 5:58:00 AM an emotional piece on a horrible situation, which i can relate to...good to call attention to this sort of thing through the medium of poetry...and thanks for visiting and commenting on my poem Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/2/2016 6:53:00 AM It's a pleasure to have you commenting on my poem, Charlotte; thank you. ~ Hope you had a good start to a new week:) Regards // paul

Joanna Daniel Date: 5/2/2016 3:24:00 AM Your poem portrays the "fearful anticipation" of the poor woman. Haunting write:) Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/2/2016 4:12:00 AM I am pleased that you stopped by to read and comment, Joanna; thank you:) ~ Regards // paul

Sandra Haight Date: 4/30/2016 8:00:00 PM So very powerful, Paul. You have captured the sad and helpless emotion of those words in the visual. Best wishes for the contest. Sandra Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/1/2016 2:41:00 AM Thank you for your lovely feedback, Sandra. Hope you're enjoying the weekend. ~ All the best. // paul

Red Fiery Date: 4/30/2016 1:10:00 PM What should I say... I am so much in deep thoughts now!!!.. Your words are uplifting, Paul... they speak to my soul... 7/7.. Hugs Red Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 4/30/2016 5:04:00 PM I am always pleased with your uplifting comments, Red...it is not easy to touch a person's soul:) Thank you for the support and high rating. Enjoy the weekend....Hugs ~~ paul

Mark Peterson Date: 4/30/2016 9:53:00 AM My goodness, this is profound. Perhaps men should practice drowning, just to see what it feels like. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 4/30/2016 4:51:00 PM I totally agree with you, Mark! Abusers ought to taste some of their own medicine! Thank you for stopping by. Regards // paul

Richard Lamoureux Date: 4/30/2016 9:38:00 AM You captured the mood perfectly my friend. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 4/30/2016 4:49:00 PM Pleased with your lovely comment, Richard; thank you. Have a nice weekend. // paul

Robert Lindley Date: 4/29/2016 10:59:00 PM Strong and sad too my friend. Sad that so many suffer in silence. Evil lurks in this dark world and women being abused is one of those evils... Exceptional poetry!!! Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 4/30/2016 4:47:00 PM Thank you for the encouraging comments, Robert; that 'exceptional' sure inflates my ego:) All the best, my friend! // paul

Ravindra K Kapoor Date: 4/29/2016 8:52:00 AM A powerful write dear friend exposing the feelings under which women often suffers and succumbs in the grip of such cruelty. I have placed today the Hindi (with English my) version of your Poem "India" on Poetry Soup also. On 27th it was featured by Jagran Junction Hindi forum. Hope to see your response. Love and best wishes ...Ravindra K Kapoor Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 4/29/2016 3:48:00 PM I love your feedback, Ravindra; thank you. I have already read and enjoyed your English version of my poem "India"; pity I can't follow the Indian version. I tried to look it up on Jagran Junction Hindi forum, but for some reason I failed to find it. ~ All the best to you....paul

Joseph May Date: 4/28/2016 10:07:00 PM A powerful last line to end your powerful yet sad poem Paul... Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 4/29/2016 3:43:00 PM Thank you Joseph. I must admit I quite like that last line, too:) ~ All the best. // paul

Nette Onclaud Date: 4/28/2016 4:43:00 PM such a writhing, meaningful work that highlights the need to end this kind of abuse... splendid, paul.. huggs Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 4/28/2016 5:31:00 PM Thank you, Nette. Abuse should always to be abhorred and condemned, yet perpetrators often get away scot free. Hugs // paul

Constance La France Date: 4/28/2016 3:40:00 PM Paul, an outstanding and excellent write, you penned a poem that truly reflects this horrible situation that many, many must endure ... 7, ~~ Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 4/28/2016 5:26:00 PM Your comments are lovely and meaningful, Constance. Thank you for reading and enjoying. ~ Regards // paul

Charmaine Chircop Date: 4/28/2016 12:53:00 PM You transmitted so much emotion in here...Emotion of someone who struggle within the chains that surrounds her.Abuse is always evil..Wether its physical, or mental and emotional. A fave. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 4/28/2016 5:10:00 PM Thank you, Charm. All kinds of abuse are to be condemned; they can have an everlasting effect. ~ Regards // paul Charmaine Chircop Date: 4/28/2016 12:53:00 PM Struggles .oops typo :)

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