Missing

When a part of you leaves and isn't coming back

What is sad is that

I feel nothing.

I was damaged so young

And when I was so vulnerable,

When love was a necessity,

A requirement,

A need;

Rather than a want.

I no longer feel anything

Other than anger,

Other than rage,

Other than emptiness.

Society deemed it necessary to feel sorrow,

So I wore the facade of sorrow,

The mask of mourning

Although was numb;

Inside and out.

In fact,

I relish the sorrow.

It is the only realm of emotion that I feel at home in,

Safe in.

It is a realm I have wandered so many times before

With leaden steps.

I know exactly what to say,

How to carry myself,

How to act

Without fear of reprisal.

But that is all it ever is;

An act.

In honesty,

Perhaps I have always been

Half a woman,

Half a person;

Half a soul.

Author's Note

I have never tried poetry before, but I like to challenge myself to new things. Please let me know what you think

Reviews

[ElizaB]

Hi Gwen,

You express and explore some deep emotions within this piece. I particularly liked the use of masks. It is true that each of us has many and often they are altered and changed daily for others, whether this be on a micro scale (so somebody close to us) or macro (societal demand) it is indeed a necessity in order for us all to function and simply live around each other.

If autobiographical or not your narrator has experience sorrow, seemingly from the beginning and by writing about it can one truly come to terms with all that shaped them and allow them to live (or perhaps exist) in the present.

Many thanks,
ELiza

[GwenLark]

Thanks for the review! X

[Gee]

I'm sorry for your past, it seems far to many suffer when children. Extremely moving, very well penned.

[GwenLark]

Thank you for both your compassion and review

[Gee]

Tis my pleasure.

[Soundz]

That flowed so well!
I'm sure when you read it you find more and more of yourself.
I don't know what put you through tough times, but I am happy you created this poem!

[GwenLark]

Thank you so much for reading. Your review means so much

[KCthelastboyscout]

This is a powerful statement.to be damaged beyond repair.hopefully not too late to rise from the ashes.expressing this amount of pain takes a rare courage from inside

[GwenLark]

Thank you. I was a bit nervous to post, but if someone who reads it thought they were alone, and now they don't, that is worth something.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Dear Gwen, your poem is brilliant and deeply moving. It touches my heart. It speaks of a place where I have been. I do not know if this is your experience, but I recognize the sad truth in your eloquently expressed apathy, the detachment that covers the bleeding wound-" I no longer feel anything." The last three lines, with such effective repetition of "Half", poignantly depicts the brokenness felt. Real, honest, horrific. Thankfully, victims of abuse can access treatment to 're-attach' their emotions positively. Brava to you for giving these victims a voice with your relevant and important poem. Keep writing!

[GwenLark]

Thank you so much! I have never tried the medium of poetry before and it is wonderful to hear from someone who is so 'versed' in it! Thank you for this review

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You are very welcome and very talented Gwen! It's amazing that this is your first try at poetry. You have a great sense of syntax, structure, cadence and flow. You write with insight, drama and depth of feeling. I would encourage you to continue. You're a great Poetess in the making!

[GwenLark]

You have completely made my day, Annette! Thank you!