Home » Poems » Jan Allison » Woman In Chains

Woman In Chains

A band of gold bound them together At first Sue’s blissfully happy but little by little he starts controlling every aspect of her life eroding her self confidence by criticising her appearance choosing what she should wear and when she goes out holding her back with silken threads Sue loves her job but he persuades her to quit work after all … she’s paid far less than a man doing the same job When she stops visiting friends and family her parents become concerned but Sue tells them she’s happy and wants to please her man knowing it’s far easier to give in than risk another argument and face the force of his fierce fists Now, the only make up Sue wears is to cover the livid bruises on her pretty face There’s no escape for Sue… she’s held captive by the chains of love Woman in Chains Poetry Contest Sponsored by John Hamilton 08/18/20

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Sam Kauffman

Date: 9/2/2020 5:15:00 PM

Back to say CONGRATULATIONS for your well deserved win. Skillful storytelling of the theme! hugs...

Jan Allison
Date: 9/3/2020 12:59:00 AM

Thanks Sam:-) hugs jan xx

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 9/2/2020 10:08:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. One never knows how the words "I DO," will turn out. I have seen some good ones and some very bad ones. A wonderful write. Enjoy your win and day.......................

Jan Allison
Date: 9/3/2020 12:59:00 AM

so true about I do:-( hugs jan xx

Mark Koplin

Date: 9/1/2020 2:24:00 PM

Back with congratulations my dear friend! Great job Jan!!

Jan Allison
Date: 9/3/2020 12:58:00 AM

thanks Mark:-) hugs Jan xx

John Hamilton

Date: 9/1/2020 8:37:00 AM

Thanks Jan for this touching write, congrats on a nice win!

Jan Allison
Date: 9/1/2020 8:48:00 AM

Thanks for my placement John:-) hugs jan xx

Bobby May

Date: 9/1/2020 8:29:00 AM

Congratulations Sis!!! I knew you would at least get 15th place you were only 14 away from 1st place, Great Job!!

Jan Allison
Date: 9/1/2020 8:32:00 AM

lol @ only 14th away:-) thanks Bobby May:-) hugs jan xx

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 8/20/2020 10:54:00 PM

Hello Jan ... it has been said that the longest sentence in the world are the two words - 'I do' - and that is so vivid in your verse Jan - thank you - Lindsay

Jan Allison
Date: 8/21/2020 12:09:00 AM

oh gosh yes i had never thought of that before:-( hugs jan xx

Ettie Christian-Bowling

Date: 8/20/2020 10:50:00 AM

Hello Jan Hope you have been well these last couple of years...This poem is wonderful written..-Love Always Ettie

Jan Allison
Date: 8/20/2020 10:57:00 AM

Thanks Ettie, yes thanks i am doing well thanks, hope you are too:-) hugs Jan xx

Lady Labyrinth

Date: 8/19/2020 1:58:00 PM

Excellent, strongly written Jan. Kudos.x Good luck with your entry in the competition. Your sister may like this poem.

Jan Allison
Date: 8/19/2020 4:50:00 PM

sorry I can't find the link you sent:-(

Jan Allison
Date: 8/19/2020 3:22:00 PM

thanks LL, the poem is fictional and sadly since my father died 5 years ago my sister has cut all ties with the family :-) hugs jan xx

Lady Labyrinth
Date: 8/19/2020 1:58:00 PM

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/protection_1225775

Rico Leffanta

Date: 8/19/2020 11:23:00 AM

This shows considerable thought and talent; WELL said! Aloha! Rico

Jan Allison
Date: 8/19/2020 11:26:00 AM

aww you are too kind Rico you know me and my style I do like to surprise with the odd serious poem too:-) hugs Jan xx

Vladislav Raven

Date: 8/19/2020 8:05:00 AM

Hi Jan, this is an excellent write on such a sad subject. I hope that one day, everyone facing this abuse can break those chains and realise their true worth. Reads like a winner to me Jan. Have a wonderful Thursday. Hugs....Mike. XX. Has to be a fav.

Jan Allison
Date: 8/19/2020 11:10:00 AM

thanks Mike, and once again many congrats on POTD:-) hugs jan xx

Mark Koplin

Date: 8/19/2020 7:51:00 AM

Great story with a robust message

Jan Allison
Date: 8/19/2020 11:09:00 AM

thanks Mark, it must be so difficult to break free:-( hugs Jan xx

Evelyn Judy Buehler

Date: 8/18/2020 8:15:00 PM

It's very sad when women get trapped in the cycle of abuse you describe. It's even sadder when they can't break away from it. This is an impressive entry for the contest. Best of wishes. :) xx

Jan Allison
Date: 8/19/2020 2:15:00 AM

It is so sad Evelyn they are made to feel so worthless it is so hard to escape the cycle of abuse :-(hugs jan xx

Michael Tor

Date: 8/18/2020 7:55:00 PM

A reality for some woman Jan that are being controlled by jealousy or selfishness. The Eagles song says it best.Already Gone " We live our lives in chains, but we don't even know we have the key." Its sadly their choice to remain with the people who control and hurt them and they can choose not to be with that individual, but many stay and take the abuse. A truth written here Jan. A winning entry for me...

Jan Allison
Date: 8/19/2020 2:14:00 AM

thanks Michael there are many songs on the theme of abuse - I like Luka by Suzanne vega - written about an abused child:-( hugs jan xx

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 8/18/2020 6:25:00 PM

Yes, this certainly happens. Jan, you told this well.

Jan Allison
Date: 8/19/2020 2:11:00 AM

thanks Kim:-) hugs jan xx

Gershon Wolf

Date: 8/18/2020 5:28:00 PM

Love is not only blind, now you've chained it up as well. Pretty soon Love is going to be a four-letter word!! ~ G.L. in the contest, my friend! :) gw

Jan Allison
Date: 8/19/2020 2:11:00 AM

thanks GW:-) my sister's name is a 4 letter word too:-( hugs jan xx

Bobby May

Date: 8/18/2020 4:01:00 PM

Not to bad JAN, you probably will only get 1st Place!

Jan Allison
Date: 8/18/2020 4:10:00 PM

lol Bobby I don't get many of those these days i write for fewer and fewer sponsors or contests:-) hugs Jan xx

Sam Kauffman

Date: 8/18/2020 3:25:00 PM

A perfect depiction of the cycle of abuse as a woman disappears into herself - isolated from her gifts and giftedness by a false perception of what love is. Profound and heartbreaking, my friend. Best of luck in the contest and blessings to you!

Jan Allison
Date: 8/18/2020 3:28:00 PM

Thanks Sam it is so difficult for someone to escape from an abusive relationship especially of they have had all their confidence stripped from them and the are made to feel so worthless:-( hugs Jan xx

Jenna Logan

Date: 8/18/2020 3:07:00 PM

Your muse has been rockin' hot lately, Jan. I'll send Sue a chain cutter. I think I still have one around somewhere. Best of luck.

Jan Allison
Date: 8/18/2020 3:14:00 PM

Thanks Jenna I prefer to write humourous poems but never know where my muse will take me:-) hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham

Date: 8/18/2020 1:31:00 PM

So true to life Jan, you often hear of these cases and sometimes it costs them their lives and sometimes their children witness these attacks scaring them for life while the brute gets a light sentence. Good luck in the contest Tom

Jan Allison
Date: 8/18/2020 1:37:00 PM

Thanks Tom, I love the powerful song and was happy my muse was inspired to write for the contest:-) hugs jan xx