The Good Cry

A final ugly bellow followed by the front door's slam and then. . .
the natural and sweet respite of silence. 
She remained where he'd left her 
and faced a pair of stony eyes staring back at her from the bathroom mirror. 
Stoically she stood, anger-fingers pressed to the inside of the basin's rim.
A gall of indignation clutched at the inside of her throat.
Her whispered curses waxed into a scream, "I hate you. You bastard. I Hate You!"

Moments later. . . sad, kindred eyes met hers, 
asking what they always asked, "How do you support this all these years?" 
She gazed at the only one who truly knew and felt a rush of utter desolation. 
Concentrated rage was channeled to a river of self-pity.
It spilled up and into the bile of her throat, erupting in her helpless gasps,
transforming into hard and bitter sobs,
and with this lament came gushing tears. 
Nothing else existed but the woman in the mirror and the grief.

Some moments passed. She sniffled.
Further weeping now would take some effort. 
She sighed the sigh of familiar resignation. 
Glancing at her consort, red-eyed, in the mirror,
she turned the faucet on and dabbed a tear-streaked face. 
The telephone was ringing, so as she went to get the phone, 
she steeled herself 
in case the flood had not entirely ebbed. 


For the Catharsis Contest of Nayda Ivette Negron
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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12
Omara Avatar
April 28, 2013 at 8:01 PM
What a powerful and terribly sad poem. What an immagination you have.-Red
Horsman Avatar
September 19, 2012 at 9:38 AM
super emotions here, Andrea, loving this page 9 of yours, i was away when the most of these were written!!!!
A   Avatar
July 12, 2011 at 12:35 AM
congrats,... and thanks for your haikus in my contest... now go join my new one.. and don't give me no lectures..lol... kidding... I am clueless on contest right now. So i am gonna go crazy like the last time. Until inspiration hits me or a train.. take care,..p.d.
Jarvis Avatar
June 27, 2011 at 8:51 PM
Wow. Great Job..Congrats:)
Babcock Avatar
June 27, 2011 at 8:43 AM
WOW I could feel those emotions coming out on this poem. Congrats on a win in the contest. Excellent write. love phyl
Brown Avatar
June 27, 2011 at 7:35 AM
Congratulations on your win in Debbie's "Emote" contest Andrea. Love, Carol
George   Avatar
June 26, 2011 at 1:49 AM
Extremely powerful - what a scene you have painted, Andrea. Sensational writing. Many congrats on your SUPER WIN. Lainie
Knop Avatar
June 25, 2011 at 2:49 AM
Great story Andrea and cograts on your well deserved win!...Love, Gert
Long Avatar
June 24, 2011 at 9:21 AM
congrats on your win with this exceptional piece cory
Mister Roboto Avatar
June 23, 2011 at 11:56 PM
I knew this was a WINNER! YES! 7 up and to the Favorites!
Ball Avatar
June 23, 2011 at 9:55 PM
Ooohoohoo! I think many of us have been there and done that. I know I can relate. Nice job here. God Bless, JBb49t
K. Avatar
June 22, 2011 at 8:04 PM
Really happy to see this up there, sweetie! ^_^! Super congrats to you :) hugs to you :D
La France Avatar
June 22, 2011 at 7:02 PM
Congratulations Andrea, I thought this poem was amazing the first time I read it and it still is gripping, well done~~
Hendricks Avatar
June 22, 2011 at 5:38 PM
Congratulations on your win, Andrea. Awesome. Enjoy the limelight, my friend. Hugs, Licia xxx
Johnson Avatar
June 22, 2011 at 3:52 PM
Great job Andrea. My these have Congratualtions.Love, Joyce
Devonshire Avatar
June 22, 2011 at 3:45 PM
You describe self pity so well in this poem, Andrea. Congratulations on your win! Love, Carolyn
Sweetheart Avatar
June 22, 2011 at 3:42 PM
Congrats Andrea on your 5th place win in the Emote contest with this splendid entry my friend.. enjoy ..luv..
Guzzi Avatar
June 22, 2011 at 2:59 PM
Wonderful heart wrenching piece of writing here Andie and I only wish you did not understand the emotion so well I wish for you to understand joy...Congrad's on your big win. Light & Love
Horne Avatar
June 22, 2011 at 1:51 PM
Wow, powerful write, Andrea
Zzzzz Avatar
June 22, 2011 at 1:24 PM
A very well-written piece, Andrea. It could be an extract from a novel, or a scene from a film. Very descriptive and poetic. Self-pity or not, the occasional good cry is wonderfully cathartic. Good luck with this one. Love, Robert.
Neels Avatar
June 22, 2011 at 12:36 PM
An interesting title for this intense piece Andrea.. All the best for the contest ;) love Wilma
Onclaud Avatar
June 22, 2011 at 4:44 AM
gripping till the end, andie... love hoe this flowed; fantastic.. winning's best to you! :) huggs
Falotico Avatar
June 21, 2011 at 5:44 PM
Very good piece... a Poem thats stands on its own among a sea of others... so glad I got to read this more then once.. best of luck to you..luv Michael
Kendrick Avatar
June 21, 2011 at 5:33 PM
Good one...Reads like a winner to me..Good luck in the contest..We all get in that mode at some point in our lives ....Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my work..Sara
La France Avatar
June 21, 2011 at 4:10 PM
Wow, Andrea, this one is sublime, I am lost for words at the emotions, so well writtern, I sure hope Debbie recognizes this poem for its excellence~~
12
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