Day 21: Screaming in the wind
Disappointments seep under my pallid skin
welts appear on my heart from the whiplash of harsh words
pain drips poison slowly into my bloodstream
rejection gnaws my ankles surreptitiously
frustration causes my body to go rigid
blazing anger oozes red hot from my wrists
I am a ticking live bomb waiting to explode
but the superficial beatific all-hiding smile on my face
encasing my true emotions in an invisible bubble
has been plastered there for too long over the years
I watch wordlessly as ominous clouds gather in the sky
the wind howls a mournful dirge
and then I am thrashed by hard, pelting drops
my eyes are blinded… by tears or raindrops…can’t say
I can scarce see ahead in the darkness
the plaster gradually begins to loosen
I open my mouth to let out a silent scream
but end up keening like a banshee over and over again
till I feel cleansed and whole, finally.
(Written for OctPoWriMo)
Today’s suggested poetry form is shape poetry but I couldn’t shape my words into either a scream or wind! 😓
You have packed a real punch, the words build the intensity of the moment to the final release!
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I was hoping for exactly that effect! Thank you so much, Heather. Your validation means a lot.
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My pleasure!
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Its a beautiful play up of words…and who cares about the shape..its screaming loudly..
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Ah! That surely warms my heart! Thanks a lot, Mitch.
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Powerful poetry.
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Thanks a lot, Sadje.
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A pleasure
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Whoa, wow, where’d that come from!?!?
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Lol Kunal! The prompts sometimes take me to very dark places. Thank you so much.
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😊
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Beautiful. I was able to relate completely. 🤓💜
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Thanks a lot, Jay-lyn. ❤️
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You are most welcome. 😘
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You describe so many of us who hide our emotions to avoid offending others. Great ending that reminds us that you have to let it go at some point or the anger and hurt will consume you, while others don’t even know you are hurting. What a great poem!
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I agree with you. We become so adept at hiding emotions that we forget to live for ourselves. Thank you kindly.
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Scream or wind can’t be shaped but they hit hard with their impact and that’s what your words have done Punam. Simply wow 👍
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Aww! Your appreciation means a lot, Radhika. Thank you so much. ❤️
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The imagery is explosive!
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Thank you so much, Barbara.
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“Whiplash of harsh words”. I can’t get over how spot on those words are as a description of how disorienting it is to be harshly condemned by someone you love.
Beyond that, the whole poem is a fierce, but sensitive study of what happens to pent up anger and rage. Extremely well executed.
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Aww Paul! Thanks a lot for your appreciation. You are so right about being disoriented.
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Brilliant, even the title gave me goosebumps! Excellent stuff. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Kristian. I am glad you liked it. 🙂
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I did, very much 🙂
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Powerful poem. How we wear those masks to hide reality. A fine poem Punam.
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Yes, Sunita…we often wear masks. Thank you so much.
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Beauty and power combined once again, Bravo! My fave and very relate-able phrase: “rejection gnaws my ankles”. During my brief and bad marriage, I would have nightmares of sharp-toothed animals gnawing my feet/ankles–symbolic, obviously, as I feared I couldn’t escape my impossible situation. (But of course I did succeed!)
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It is good to know you succeeded! Yes, I can understand such nightmares. Thank you so much, dear Z! Though I do wish this post was not relatable at all!
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Your posts are always so wonderful–it doesn’t matter if I relate negatively to details now and then, truly! 💖💖🌹💖💖
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❤️❤️
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❤
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Punam, such a visceral write. I felt it in my gut also.
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That means a lot, Li! Thank you so much.
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You are very welcome.
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Gosh, I love this Punam. There is something cathartic about letting go of those tears, a scream, a mask. Like a cleansing storm.
I am in awe that you find something to write every day and always do such a magical job of it. You’re an inspiration ❤️❤️
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Oh yes, so very cathartic!
I know! 🙈 Writing everyday gets a bit too much but enjoy these monthly challenges. Will take a break in November.
Thank you so much for always saying such wonderful things. ❤️❤️
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Awww you can’t cover your eyes about that, it’s something to be incredibly proud of. I LOVE knowing that one of my favourite authors (and friend) will have something new for me to read. In fact, my notifications for you had somehow been turned off, and I came searching for this daily installment. Gotta make the most of it while it’s still October 🥰❤️
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Thank you ever so much, dear heart. Don’t blame me if you see me on cloud nine!! You are so precious. ❤️❤️
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Hope to see you on cloud 9, as that means I’m there too ❤️❤️
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🤗❤️❤️
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That which makes no sense, the disappointments, and those whose trust turns out to be other, so many things I sense here in my own experience of your words.
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Oh yes, all these and so much more! I guess we all face a fair share of similar disappointments!
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Yes, just reflecting on this very thing tonight over dinner. My goodness, the serendipity.
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Paul, it is really amazing to see thoughts converge across oceans! I am so grateful for this wonderful community of like minded souls. 🙂🙏🏼
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Me too Punam, a community that gives me hope.
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Absolutely!🙂
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From where and how you create such strength in your words punam.. Awesome.. 😊😇😇💕
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Thank you, thank, you, thank you! Main bachpan mein horlicks peeti thi. 😂
Seriously though, pata nahi re. 🙏🏼☺️❤️💞
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It’s surely God gifted.. You’re such talented dear.. Pleasure to know you here.. 😇💕
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🙏🏼 here and there too! 😘
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Absolutely.. 🙌🏼😄😌🥰
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