Get Your Premium Membership

Within these Walls

Faces of death stare against my raptured skin. Silently, they watch me in frigid judgment. I used to run from them in unholy matrimony, Peeling the sins from my teardrops Wishing they would Just go away. The brown-skinned disease normalized her penetrating, Gaslit disgust against the smiles, Against the faith “YOU HAD IT COMING!”, she resounded in front of my Son…rise. “All your fault”, the faces of death impolitely declared. I begged for her abuse to end. I pleaded for those faces to cease their stares against my coalescing wounds. I prayed that the stars would let our friendship count to infinity. But the brown-skinned disease could only count to 5150. Terms & conditions no longer applied. How would I ever escape? How would I ever taste tears of joy again? How would I supplant the bruises now invested in each heartbeat? When would I stop apologizing for the harm she caused...? I stared back at the faces of death. “Not today!” “Not tomorrow!” In this decrepit whirlwind of deceit They smiled back at me, turning the other cheek. “Stronger than yesterday”, they whispered. I awoke from my descent into paralysis, Listening to the gentle clacking of laptops, The wistful choruses enunciated from the turntable… …”No easy way out. I won’t back down. I’ll stand my ground.” For my walls built By the faces of death Are meant to climb, Not to confine ©Tacito

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024




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

Date: 10/30/2024 5:27:00 AM
You still have it Sir! ... but then, poets are born & you have that gift - poignant writing per usual!
Login to Reply
Tacito Avatar
Poet Tacito
Date: 11/1/2024 2:15:00 PM
It's been ages since we last connected. Super awesome to hear from you. I didn't realize I need to see a comment like this, so I'm very grateful for it. Cheers to you, Craig!
Date: 8/31/2024 3:48:00 PM
aahhelllo... come out and face my shadow absent for years...I'm sorta back and you? love the way you spin this existential poesy around...tcare drakey and keep me posted!
Login to Reply
Onclaud Avatar
Nette Onclaud
Date: 9/22/2024 1:36:00 PM
yes, let's bond again sometime ,drake...i think we'll be on soup for the long haul! huggies
Tacito Avatar
Poet Tacito
Date: 9/1/2024 8:43:00 AM
Well, well! It's been a few years, Nette! Super nice to hear from you. Yes, I still linger from time to time. Might change as time continues. Thank you for taking the time to read this & come by. We'll reconnect sooner than later. :)
Date: 8/4/2024 4:54:00 AM
Awesome write thanks for sharing your poem many blessings
Login to Reply
Tacito Avatar
Poet Tacito
Date: 9/1/2024 8:41:00 AM
Appreciate it, Yolanda!
Date: 6/9/2024 9:14:00 AM
Wow... just, wow. I wonder if anyone can read this in the way you intended because it is so deeply personal. But we each read ourselves in poetry I think and this has touched my life in some meaningful ways. I love thee detail of the numbers you've used...word play I've never read before... so unique and intriguing! I'm hooked! Xo
Login to Reply
Tacito Avatar
Poet Tacito
Date: 6/9/2024 1:29:00 PM
Oh, hey Crystol! I'm not really sure, but the hope is the empathy & connection occurs however it will w/the reader. Your comments & you even stopping by here are both really appreciated!
Date: 6/7/2024 9:46:00 PM
Wow! What an ending. What a beautiful finale. Yes... don't be confined. Shine. Peel the sins from your teardrops. Only tears of joy... please. This was a profound piece. Though painful to write, I'm sure it was cathartic.
Login to Reply
Tacito Avatar
Poet Tacito
Date: 6/9/2024 6:35:00 AM
Painfully cathartic. Yes. Over 4 years of remaining silent & in my recovery. That recovery continues to this day, but I am no longer remaining silent. There are not enough words to say how happy I am to see you around PS again. Thank you so, so much, Eileen!!

Book: Reflection on the Important Things