Elis Artis Poet Free verse

Trophies

Halfway through a laugh
and I get flashbacks
of my black past
that always haunts me
I see it everywhere
even on me
I’m all full of scars
my psyche and body
they’re everywhere
they became too hard
to cover
scars from a number
of wars and battles
cheaters and backstabbers

But today
I look at those scars differently
I see the beauty in them
I’m not the victim anymore
they’re no longer scars to me
they’re defensive wounds 
from my helpless victims
they’re trophies 
trophies I collected
from every cancer I beat
every fake person I killed
every bad memory I choked
every situation I pissed on 
they bring a smile to my face 

-Elis Artis
11/17/2015

Follow me on:
www.facebook.com/elisartis
www.twitter.com/elisartis
tumblr.elisartis.com
www.elisartis.com

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Richard Lamoureux January 13, 2016 at 7:22 AM I have two poems you might consider reading. "ripping" and "The Ripping" I think you might relate to both of them the first was written in March of 2015 and the second one on Sept 1st 2014. Elis Artis January 13, 2016 at 6:40 PM Sounds good, I'll go check them out:)

Richard Lamoureux January 13, 2016 at 7:12 AM I love the poem up to and including the line "Thier defensive wounds" this piece has great potential to be a redemptive piece. There could be a transition to a different way of thinking, an opening the door to a brighter perspective. I believe that light exists, I would like to see you also explore that part brighter side for within those extremes your poetry would have even more power. Elis Artis January 13, 2016 at 6:39 PM I've been trying to explore the brighter side recently, but I fail every time. I'm still trying though and I will continue to try until I pull it off:) Thank you so much for stopping by, dear Richard:)

Skat A November 28, 2015 at 2:22 PM Elis, Congratulations on your well-deserved win. Love SKAT Elis Artis December 2, 2015 at 6:20 PM Thank you so much, dear SKAT:) I appreciate that

Dr. Upma A. Sharma November 26, 2015 at 4:10 AM Congrats on ur wonderful win Elis.. great pen!

Jan Allison November 24, 2015 at 5:50 PM such an emotional write Elis - the ending mader me smile - congrats on your win:-) hugs jan xx Elis Artis December 2, 2015 at 6:22 PM Thank you so much, dear Jan:) I appreciate your heartfelt comment

Beautiful Scars November 24, 2015 at 5:15 PM Elis...congrats on your win in my first contest! It was beautiful and emotive..:)-lu *smiles*

Andrea Dietrich November 18, 2015 at 7:31 PM Elis, am i wrong, but are you being tongue in cheek toward the end of this one? I sure hope you did not kill those fake people. That made me laugh! COOL poem. Elis Artis November 19, 2015 at 5:28 AM Yes I did! Good luck finding the bodies! I used Walter White's acid method to get rid of them. Lol, thank you so much for stopping by:) I appreciate that

Paul Callus November 18, 2015 at 3:02 PM Love your take on this scars topic, Elis. From the experiences of those scars a stronger person arises. Well done! Regards // paul Elis Artis November 19, 2015 at 5:29 AM You've got that right, dear Paul:) Thank you for your heartfelt comment:)

Sandra Haight November 18, 2015 at 9:33 AM I agree with Silent One...very emotional and powerful, Elis. Best wishes for the contest. Sandra Elis Artis November 19, 2015 at 5:30 AM Thank you so much, dear Sandra:) I appreciate your heartfelt comment:)