The Monster You Dread

THE MONSTER YOU DREAD

i can’t handle rejection,
the unhug of perfection.
a piercing scream of perplexion —
my complexion streaked
grouted and piqued.

i backhanded you by
closing the splintered door,
vainglorious to the core —
now you can’t see the open sore.

you never uncovered, never looked,
never came to find me, i’m overlooked.
hiding beneath the bed, i’m the monster
you dread — tear-salted tongue, the martyr

with claws tearing at my skin - my fear
that she sips her coffee carelessly - oh dear...
the suicidal stripes down my cheeks sear
as my mother wanders through her year.

if only a look, a hug, a kind word spoken
to me would tear me from this sea forsaken —
this torrent, harangue of waves, haplessly
dashing, against heart and soul. if only a creak,
a scintilla of light would peek into
my claustrophobic space, saving me from me.

but i, only i...must resolve, unhinge the lock,
step out and see the clearing of the crock...
all alone on my private island - its unsecured dock.
i pretend it never mattered but carry the doom
within my flesh, my invisible childhood looms.

ready at turn to rear its misshapen head, its claws
digging into a buried past — all my flaws...
jealousy pops up in the middle of my joy
i stomp the frenetic beast, clawing its face.
i refuse to be that monster, that disgrace!

6/14/2019
Move me Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Richard Lamoureux
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Gauthier Avatar
July 28, 2019 at 8:34 AM
Congrats on your win, Kim. Well done.
Lamoureux Avatar
June 30, 2019 at 4:25 PM
You are most welcome Kim.
Carmack Avatar
June 26, 2019 at 7:18 PM
Love the imagery. Congrats Kim.
Leiser Avatar
June 26, 2019 at 4:44 PM
What an intense poem of emotions, brilliantly expressed, Kim! I can feel the palpable pain of judgment and rejection..this is really well penned! Congrats on your win! :)
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 26, 2019 at 2:49 PM
I can relate to many things in your profoundly moving poem Kim. Brava! Congratulations on your deserving high placement my friend! Excellent! I am putting this into my Faves! : ) xxoo
Rodrigues Avatar
June 26, 2019 at 3:34 PM
Thank you so much, Connie!
Lamoureux Avatar
June 26, 2019 at 8:58 AM
So glad to see your name on my winners list. Thanks for entering this gem.
Rodrigues Avatar
June 26, 2019 at 11:21 AM
Thanks so much, Richard!! <3 Kim
Andresen Avatar
June 16, 2019 at 1:51 PM
- ... so many times we think ... "if only" ... - A powerful and touching poem with depth, Kim - Good luck in the contest :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Rodrigues Avatar
June 16, 2019 at 2:44 PM
Thank you, Anne-Lise! <3 Kim
La France Avatar
June 14, 2019 at 2:15 PM
Kim, so dark and deep, it sure moved me, so I am sure this will be a winner ~
Rodrigues Avatar
June 14, 2019 at 2:32 PM
Thanks for saying so <3 Kim
Cunningham Avatar
June 14, 2019 at 8:08 AM
Powerful verse Kim with.a touch of dark. Good luck. Tom
Rodrigues Avatar
June 14, 2019 at 8:08 AM
Thanks, Tom!
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