Woman In Chains

Arousing opulence of ancient ballrooms
She creates her own make-believe world
Waltzing coyly in terpsichorean rhythms
Upon glittering stage where they sell love
Each time she caresses arms of a stranger, 

Pretending to levitate in sultan’s harem
In glitzy appeal of polygamous mansions
Where she reiterates to sighs of ambivalence--
This used to be once the venue of glamour.

But her allegory of ardor quickly fades
As her disillusioned ego yearns for solace
When invisible bruises begin to ache
Having surrendered esteem to ruthless nights
Trading dead-feelings in lavish marbled halls
Where stench of alcohol, perfumes, and cigars
Traps perturbed anguish inside prison walls
From which, she knows, there’s no escape.

Initiation period for her was the hardest
When beauty and youth at height of apex
Squandered her magical Cinderella zeal
Abandoning fabled-castle her childhood built
Crying into that gutless, gruesome night
For lacking the force of fortitude to leave
Before she condemned her soul into abyss.

She’s worthless to the heartless crowd now—
A shriveled rose desolate in parched garden,
A discarded bottle of expensive scotch;

So, voicing contempt, like a caged bird she sings 
About the wedding night she always fancied
Reciting lyrics, crooning spent feelings,
Whispering the names she picked for her kids.

Look closely at her, she has no chains now,
She can abscond easily whenever she wants
But, alas, no longer has she the desire to fly;

For her mutilated spirits relentlessly bleed
Ever since her own hands clipped her wings.

August 29, 2020
Placed 1st: Woman in chains poetry contest
Sponsor: John Hamilton
Inspired by Woman in Chains song by Tears for Fears
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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12
May Avatar
February 15, 2022 at 3:27 PM
Sadly her dreams of a fabled prince is shattered, and the wings of her spirit are broken, Powerful write Vijay
George Avatar
November 27, 2021 at 5:37 AM
This is poetry at its best! No bard must have expounded the angst and anguish of a woman who had to trade her body to make a living in this manner ! In this soulful write, I hear the echoes of the heartrending cry of many a hapless woman.... ! I feel so much for such unlucky lot, but have no words to convey what I feel... ! You have a divine spark in you. Only that enables you to express your thoughts in such a soul stirring way. This is one of your best, I feel. Kudos my friend !
De Beaulieu Avatar
September 24, 2020 at 3:38 PM
Hello Vijay pandit, I just read your poem. I found it to be very sad. Enjoy your evening my friend.
Pandit Avatar
January 4, 2021 at 9:29 AM
Thank you Darlene.
Schack Avatar
September 23, 2020 at 11:11 AM
Sad and painful .please see or comment mine.be well.
Pandit Avatar
January 4, 2021 at 9:29 AM
Thank you Daniel.
Shines Avatar
September 17, 2020 at 8:35 AM
Congratulations on your win!
Pandit Avatar
January 4, 2021 at 9:29 AM
Thank you Kenisha.
Mcdaid Avatar
September 11, 2020 at 3:00 AM
this in your words stuns the voices of the caged birds singing beautifully painted, wishing you a blessed weekend
Pandit Avatar
September 12, 2020 at 1:40 PM
Much appreciate Liam--many thanks for your visit and comments. Have a wonderful weekend.
Proxenos Avatar
September 8, 2020 at 9:40 AM
This is outstanding poetry dear friend absolutely excellent ' A shriveled rose desolate in parched garden, A discarded bottle of expensive scotch' - congratulations again and again on your top win. Blessings and hugs, Jennifer.
Pandit Avatar
September 10, 2020 at 2:51 PM
Thank you Jennifer--much appreciate my friend your visit and kind remarks.
Deepa Avatar
September 3, 2020 at 5:42 AM
A shriveled rose desolate in parched garden~ painful lines dear Vijay sir. Such a heart wrenching poem that you've created .I must say, it truly rolls tears down in the readers eyes.:-( Your works are always so interesting with delicate,meaningful concepts.:-) I am adding this masterpiece of yours in my FAVE list.:-) I believe your doing well.Keep inspiring.Take care.Warmest regards sent your way.:-)
Pandit Avatar
September 3, 2020 at 8:15 AM
Your are so very kind, Deepa. Much appreciate your delightful feedback...many thanks. And a very special thank you for the FAVE.
Callus Avatar
September 3, 2020 at 12:28 AM
This Woman in Chains poetry contest has truly inspired you Vijay! The mixture of beautiful and sad have produced a worthy top winner...Congratulations! ...a fav // paul
Pandit Avatar
September 3, 2020 at 5:11 AM
Much appreciate Paul--many thanks for the kind feedback. And a very special thank you for the FAVE.
Goldsmith Avatar
September 2, 2020 at 10:17 AM
Congratulations on your win. A wonderful story/write. Love your last line. Enjoy your win and day.......................
Pandit Avatar
September 2, 2020 at 2:43 PM
Thank you Paula--much appreciate.
Theraven Avatar
September 2, 2020 at 8:40 AM
Vijay, Your passion comes through in this potent verse 'Reciting lyrics, crooning spent feelings, Whispering the names she picked for her kids'. -Richard
Pandit Avatar
September 2, 2020 at 9:34 AM
Thank you Richard--much appreciate your visit and comments.
George   Avatar
September 2, 2020 at 1:50 AM
Wow! That is all I can say...Wow!
Pandit Avatar
September 2, 2020 at 5:24 AM
Honored by your visit and comments, Elaine--much appreciate--many thanks.
Ermine Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 11:29 PM
Vijay, I'm agape after reading this.! First time seeing it. Awesome. Honestly a masterpiece. Your painting of WIC extremely poetic, rich. Yet also very direct in telling message. Yours is an outstanding entry. One to treasure among your gorgeous collection of writes. Top Congratulations on brilliant Win..!!
Pandit Avatar
September 2, 2020 at 5:23 AM
You are so very kind--thank you Sigrid--much appreciate your heartfelt comments.
Dietrich Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 3:45 PM
very profound, Vijay!! It reminded me of that song by Manilow. the lady Lola, who was a showgirl! Congrats for your win.
Pandit Avatar
September 2, 2020 at 5:22 AM
Thank you Andrea. Yes--I looked it up--sad ending there as well.
Devonshire Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 2:32 PM
Just stopping back with a well-earned Congratulations on your big win! Hugs, Carolyn
Pandit Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 3:08 PM
Much appreciate my friend--many thanks, Carolyn.
Koplin Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 2:23 PM
Congratulations on your top win Vijay!
Pandit Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 3:07 PM
Thank you Mark--much appreciate.
Onclaud Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 11:53 AM
wow, we both made it with you a rank higher...huge congrats, vijay!..huggs
Pandit Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 12:33 PM
Much appreciate, Nette--many thanks.
Okenwa  Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 10:58 AM
Piercing truth..
Pandit Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 12:33 PM
Thank you Kirsten--much appreciate.
Kauffman Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 8:39 AM
So powerful, Jijay. "A shriveled rose" with no desire to fly - truly tragic. Congratulations on your first place win!
Pandit Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 12:33 PM
Thank you Sam--much appreciate.
Hamilton Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 8:22 AM
Wow Vijay you keep outdoing yourself, just when I think you've peaked you enter another beauty, beautiful in it's sadness and astounding imagery and word pictures, unique phrasing, I can't say enough about how much I love this write, congrats on another top win!
Pandit Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 12:33 PM
You are so very kind, John. I am thrilled by your comments--certainly means a lot coming from you. Much appreciate--many thanks for holding contests.
Lamoureux Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 5:42 AM
One of your best, I expect it will do well in the contest.
Pandit Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 7:23 AM
Thank you Richard--much appreciate your kind feedback.
Sands Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 3:44 AM
Wow. This poem reaches the reader deeply. Very powerful and sad! And then wrapped up with a bang of an ending too. Your poetry excels. Have a nice day :)
Pandit Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 5:08 AM
So very kind of you my friend--always appreciate your comments and support. Many thanks, Heidi.
Andresen Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 2:42 AM
- A story that gives me goosebumps, Vijay ... excellent written ... but horrible experience - Best wishes in the contest :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Pandit Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 5:07 AM
Much appreciate your kind remarks, Anne-Lise--many thanks, as always.
Devonshire Avatar
August 31, 2020 at 3:07 PM
Oh, my! I got chills when I read how she no longer wants to fly, Vijay. So sad that her happiness had to fade. A stellar entry for John's contest! You won't need luck to win -- talent speaks for itself. Definitely a fave for me. Hugs, Carolyn
Pandit Avatar
August 31, 2020 at 3:56 PM
Such delight to read your valued comments my friend. I appreciate your vote of approval, Carolyn. Many thanks, as always. And a very special thank you for the FAVE.
Salehi Avatar
August 31, 2020 at 12:13 PM
Too great... I liked a lot...
Pandit Avatar
August 31, 2020 at 12:44 PM
Thank you my friend--much appreciate, Many thanks Pashang for your visit and comments.
12
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