Notes About The Poem
   Sara's Chaos in My Heart Contest  ~  4/17/2025

Premiere Contest WinnerThe Chaos in My Heart

Listen to poem:
I don't know of anyone who's been successful 
in an attempt to capture the encumbrance 
of a love pledged and then withdrawn,
nor how to heal a heart from its fallibility.

So, I'm left wondering...
when did the shallow waters of intense love
become too deep to tread?
When did the waves thrash so powerfully
that I was unable to keep my head above them?
I was drowning in the chaos churning in my heart.

Tearful were my eyes in a state of mourning.
Weeping while bereaved and casting a silent plea.
Desperate in the need to escape the captive prison 
when my heart was found guilty of gullibility.

Imprisoned by love's bars, unable to take flight,
I was the swan who had lost her mate,
without hope of ever wanting to fly again.
Broken vows are like wounded wings,
and therein was my heart's pitiable plight.
Is it never to be relieved of the agonizing ache?

In gloom of anguish, I gasped one last breath 
before crossing the chasm between love and hate.
Too late to beseech my heart for help.
Spurned, it was lamenting over love's death.

Disconsolate, emotions in disarray,
I held a pressed rose he'd lovingly offered,
crushed it in my hand as if I were the flower.
With the power of penance, I reprimanded myself
for having trusted in the pledge of love.

I sacrificed the withered petals, 
tossed them on the wind's wayward whims.
Niggled by the feeling of emptiness and loss,
I felt as if I'd just laid them on my own grave.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025


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Date: 4/24/2025 12:32:00 PM
Congratulations on placing in my contest. There are no words that can truly express how heartbreakingly beautiful your poem and spoken are. "I was drowning in the chaos churning in my heart.," immaculately describes the loss of love. And you last stanza, transports me to the pages of a victorian gothic novel where love goes unrequited. Brilliant write.
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Lin Lane
Date: 4/24/2025 7:08:00 PM
I am seriously honored to have received your contest trophy, Sara. You found a lot of wonderful words that make me feel worthy of being on your winning list. Thank you for your gracious support.
Date: 4/24/2025 9:38:00 AM
Congratulations on your trophy win. Your poem is heartfelt.
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Lin Lane
Date: 4/24/2025 11:28:00 AM
With sincere thanks, Robert. This one was difficult for me to write and more so to read.
Date: 4/23/2025 12:12:00 AM
Heartiest congratulations dear poetess on your top win in this contest with a poignant poem so skilfully crafted with eloquent imageries. Particularly loved stanzas 2 and 7. May the light of divine blessings bring some solace to the "tearful eyes" in "anguish".
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Lin Lane
Date: 4/23/2025 3:16:00 AM
Thank you, Krish. These lines were steeped in emotion, but they were written with the contest theme in mind. My eyes are smiling these day... I appreciate your concern.
Date: 4/22/2025 2:40:00 AM
Deep dark poetry, Lin, well penned, congratulations:)
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Lin Lane
Date: 4/22/2025 4:25:00 AM
Hi, Joanna and thanks for your congrats. Going dark is not something I usually do, but it surprises me that I can.
Date: 4/21/2025 5:09:00 PM
Wow, this poem is beautifully haunting. I particularly loved, "Broken vows are like wounded wings," and "I felt as if I'd just laid them on my own grave." Your imagery captures the depth of heartache so vividly. Truly a poignant reflection on love and loss. A well deserved win. Congrats
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Lin Lane
Date: 4/21/2025 9:36:00 PM
Thank you for your generous thoughts, Billie. Your comments are always so very insightful.
Date: 4/21/2025 1:29:00 PM
such an emotional piece Lin, no wonder you got top spot, sorry i missed reading this gem before now, the audio is exceptional:-) hugs Jan xx
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Lin Lane
Date: 4/21/2025 1:33:00 PM
Hi, Jan and thank you for the reading and listening. You didn't miss a thing, Chick.
Date: 4/21/2025 1:16:00 PM
Congratulations on your well deserved trophy win! This deserves a double trophy! Happy to see this aching poem acknowledged!
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Lin Lane
Date: 4/21/2025 1:32:00 PM
aww, I am so very happy that Sara liked it enough to place it on her winning list. And thank you, Ink for letting me know of it in your comments. ;-)
Date: 4/18/2025 3:53:00 AM
Quite an emotional write Lin, rejection and a broken heart take a long time to get over. Love the audio too. Tom
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Lin Lane
Date: 4/18/2025 7:04:00 AM
Sometimes a heart never fully recovers from what it's lost. Thank you for listening and reading me, Tom.
Date: 4/17/2025 11:26:00 PM
You make exquiste music from pain dear Lin...always finding the right words to hold the emotional intensity without it spilling over the edge. The reading only enhanced the intensity and made the poem come alive in the underlying rythms that give it that gravity. You are a master of this form. Though sad it is counterbalanced by the joy in the act of creating such art. Take care, Paul
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Lin Lane
Date: 4/18/2025 7:03:00 AM
If these lines were put to music, Paul there'd be droning notes of a moody saxophone and blues from a guitar. Thank you for your compliments on both my writing and the audio. You always so graciously offer your compelling insight.
Date: 4/17/2025 11:18:00 PM
Wow. So good, Lin. I wish I could write on this but I have not really experienced it in such a was to do it with such emotion as you did.
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Lin Lane
Date: 4/18/2025 7:01:00 AM
I'm pleased to know you haven't had the experience of such emotions to not be able to write about them. Thank you for your kind remarks, Andrea.
Date: 4/17/2025 11:10:00 PM
Dear linnersz, This is such a poignant and evocative poem that made my heart ache so deeply and soul stir just eloquently, with your sincere and pain-struck word weaving and voice that depicts the depth of loss, losing love, and to be left to heal is never easy, i especially love "I was the swan who had lost her mate, without hope of ever wanting to fly again. Broken vows are like wounded wings" gosh! That hits the deepest! Felt that so strong! "I sacrificed the withered petals, tossed them" the ending there shows acceptance of fate, and crestfallen stars of love, but still, true love never fades, amidst all! This is one of those poems that made me cry! Really! It is very impactful! I think sara would agree! Best wishes in the contest! Sending you light always
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Lin Lane
Date: 4/18/2025 7:00:00 AM
Thank you for sharing your emotions with me on these lines, Ink. I'm sorry it made you cry, but it's a poet's best hope that what we write affects a reader in such an emotional way. I always appreciate knowing what lines stand out to you and other readers. We'll see what Sara thinks of it. ;-)
Date: 4/17/2025 10:20:00 PM
Lin, I like this poem because it's raw and emotional. There are little stories within your poems. Your anecdotal style of writing comes without a whole bunch of chocolate-dipped words or mumbo jumbo. But instead, your poems take the reader on a path that's relatable and understanding.
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Lin Lane
Date: 4/18/2025 6:56:00 AM
Thanks, Connie. There nothing as sweet as chocolate when the heart is aching from lost love. I understand and appreciate what you're saying about my style of poetry, and your thoughts are taken to heart.
Date: 4/17/2025 5:16:00 PM
Lin, you make a very good point. If someone expresses love and then withdraws it, that's particularly tough to deal with. Being rejected at the start is much easier to deal with. I hope you are well and feeling all the love surrounding you!! Smiles!!
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Lin Lane
Date: 4/17/2025 6:40:00 PM
I’m quite well, Duke. Thanks for so many wonderful comments you leave for my poetry.
Date: 4/17/2025 12:12:00 PM
A very sad poem indeed, Lin. sometimes love can be very cruel, leaving a once swollen heart deflated and broken. However, the world never stops for a broken heart. Life goes on. Very well written as always.
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Lin Lane
Date: 4/17/2025 1:29:00 PM
It truly is, Danny. Repair is slow, if ever at all, making 'life goes on' the only choice. Thank you for reading me and leaving your thoughts.
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