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The Shadows Beneath the Stairs

For The Love Of Poetry Contest
Sponsor: John Lawless

The shadows beneath the stairs is what I believed to be my hell. 
There I was, countless nights, too injured to show my
true face. If only I had been loved instead of being damaged.
I sat there. I cried there. I mourned there. I died there.

Lost in maltreatment I thought I could survive that last time.
Broken and made imperfect from his morose doom. How could he think 
he would get away with ending his wife’s life? I was born innocent
and I died dirty. Filthy essence of guilt and fear. I dreaded 
when the work day was over. I dreaded making the kids hide
in the corner. Now my sweet children are suffering
without a nurturing mother to comfort them the way
they need and deserve. Oh, the revile that scorched me
morning after morning and night after night.
I was ashamed while he was proud…. 
I was repentant while he was around…
Disconnected a connection for the pleasure of my pain.
Here I am, above the clouds overseeing the actions
of a monster who decimated his supposed soul mate. 
My blood was shed while he stood there
haughty and content with the outcome. I thought I loved him
like roses, and needed him like breath. He hated me like
like an inferno and he needed me like pleasurable torment.
If only I could’ve seen the truth behind the destruction
maybe I would’ve survived this tragedy. But no matter what
I am protected now. My children are safe now that
he is behind bars, deserving the punishment of the 
consequences of his immoral wrong doings.

The shadows beneath the stairs is what I believed to be my hell. 
I sat there. I cried there. I mourned there. I died there.

Date Written: April 6, 2016

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016




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Date: 4/11/2016 1:24:00 PM
Heart rending, Luloo! Don't now whether to congratulate you or weep with you. Love...
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Lu Loo
Date: 4/11/2016 3:32:00 PM
thank you Balveen :)-luloo
Date: 4/10/2016 10:09:00 PM
Congrats on your placement, Laura Loo. Beautiful and sad.
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Lu Loo
Date: 4/11/2016 3:31:00 PM
thank you Karam :)-luloo
Date: 4/10/2016 7:35:00 PM
Congrats on your placement in this contest, well deserved
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Lu Loo
Date: 4/11/2016 3:30:00 PM
thank you Brian :)-luloo
Date: 4/10/2016 6:00:00 PM
such a heartbreaking poem LuLoo many congrats on your win:-) hugs Jan xx
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Lu Loo
Date: 4/11/2016 3:30:00 PM
Thank you Lady:)-luloo
Date: 4/10/2016 3:53:00 PM
Indeed, very powerful, Laura. Congratulations on your fine win! Hugs, Sandra
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Lu Loo
Date: 4/11/2016 3:29:00 PM
thank you Sandra :)-luloo
Date: 4/10/2016 2:05:00 PM
Laura, a painful poem to read and ponder. The content overpowers the form, draws the reader into the horror of abuse for all concerned. Thanks for entering this one in the contest.
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Lu Loo
Date: 4/10/2016 3:34:00 PM
thank you John I am honored for my placement in your contest...:)-luloo
Date: 4/10/2016 1:54:00 PM
Congratulations on your placement Laura...hugs, Abo
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Lu Loo
Date: 4/10/2016 3:33:00 PM
thank you Abongile :)-luloo
Date: 4/10/2016 1:11:00 PM
Congratulations Laura on your placement in the contest. Abuse of any kind is a terrible situation. Peace my friend:)
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Lu Loo
Date: 4/10/2016 1:15:00 PM
thank you DT..:)-luloo
Date: 4/6/2016 9:38:00 PM
Hard to write about, terrible to read about. Happens to frequently...
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Date: 4/6/2016 3:41:00 PM
Wow Laura this is a heart stirring write filled with passion and plea. No one deserves to be tormented in such a way and would hope this is a well written fictional work and not a shared experience. Well written, filled with flow and clearly communicated without superfluous information. Truly a heart-breaker, thank you for sharing this piece.
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Lu Loo
Date: 4/6/2016 4:59:00 PM
Thank you Robert, yes this is complete fiction. But it happens too much...-luloo
Date: 4/6/2016 3:39:00 PM
Heartwrenching story Looloo...Unfortunately many women in 2016 suffer different types of abuse, and yes some even lead to death.. Deep poem indeed.
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Lu Loo
Date: 4/6/2016 4:57:00 PM
yes its terrible..thank you :)-luloo

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