Harsh Love

written for a contest

Sorry, so sorry,  I'll never live your dreams.
Sorry, so sorry,  I rarely make you proud.
Sorry, so sorry,  I ignore your angry rants.
Sorry, truly sorry, but my own dreams scream too loud.

Tired, so tired of reprising how you scathed.
Tired, so tired of adopting your excuse.
Tired, so tired of learning crooked truths.
Tired, so damn tired of finding kindness in abuse.

Love you though, still love you. Our fights became a dance.
Love you, always loved you. But now I do by choice.
Love you as you love me, despite your scarring words.
Love, your harsh love, taught me my own, strong voice.

Author's Note

Phew, a poem about ambivalent love I guess ;-)

Don't be shy, tell me what you think!

Reviews

[Anindita Janhabee]

Quite emotional... Regretting is a part of the life though... Love is always painful no matter how you enjoy it... Like life is always beautiful, no matter how you live it... If this is your imagination, then it is great... Without being shy, I really appreciate the repetition of words... Such poems need rhymes or repetition to be perfect... I have recently written poems like this so I loved your thoughts...
But of course you can make it better by adding some more situations apart from - sorry, tired and love... for example, thanks, promise etc... well it's only a suggestion...
to be honest, your single poem fills innumerable emotions... keep it up!!!
Anindita : )

[Kaliope]

Thank you very much for stopping by and for your thoughtful suggestions. The poem was written for a contest though, and one of the requirements was twelve lines or less. Besides, to me it feels complete and since I'm not a poet by any stretch, my gut feeling is all I have to go by. Nevertheless, rest assured that I appreciate your comment and that I'm glad you enjoyed my excursion into poetry, despite its shortcomings :-)

[Anindita Janhabee]

It was my pleasure reading...

[Ayushi Jha]

A beautiful piece of art! Love how the poem melts into the reader's emotions.

[Kaliope]

Thank you so much!

[Pete]

True love can cut through anything I guess. Nice job.

[Kaliope]

Thank you very much :-)

[Raylene]

I can relate to this on many levels my dear Kali the tough love hurts us yet you can not help but continue to love them for they need it the most well done my friend.

[Kaliope]

Thank you very much :-)

[Cyndi Goodgame]

Honesty in the voice of this poem, no closeted feelings. I think anyone who reads, and has felt it firsthand, will nod a sad, yes, to the truth it speaks. Good.

[Kaliope]

Thank you very much.

[Taylor]

I know little of poetry and can only review from my own reaction, rather than any expertise. For me this is a very powerful poem and expresses so clearly how abuse can be entwined with the victim's love. I could see this as a mournful song. I like the poem very much.

[Kaliope]

Thank you so much Taylor. I'm not well-versed in poetry either and I too can only judge poems by gut feeling, so I tend to stay away from reviewing them. I just don't feel qualified. Which is why I'm all the more grateful for your kind words. When a prose writer comments on a poem, I know I've done something right :-)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

abuse turned around in a sense...being sorry for so long for being who i am, and being not good enough...but now i know i am good enough...and i can play the same game....your abuse doesn't cower me anymore, it just has made me stronger...

i could see a Plath or Sexton writing this ...especially Sylvia about Ted.

j.

[Kaliope]

To my utter shame I had to look Plath and Sexton up but I'm honored that my humble scribbles call such remarkable women to your mind. Thank you very much! I do hope my life will end a bit less tragic though.

[Lexi Richard]

Such a powerful piece of writing. The word choice is great and I really like the repitition. I can feel the emotion and meaning behind it. Nicely done.

[Kaliope]

Thank you very much :-)

[ghostlyhearts]

Great poem. Never be sorry for finding the strength to do what's right.

[Kaliope]

Thank you very much :-)

[Samuel Dickens]

Nicely put, this all too common regrettable experience among those who're close, whether it be lovers or family members. Most often, it seems to be the female who's forced to acquire the strong voice, but not always. Maintaining love is an achievement and something that not everyone can do.

[Kaliope]

Very true, love and relationships need work and so does one's personal growth. It's not always easy and pleasant, but in the end it's worth it, I believe. Even the most difficult relationships can teach us - at least - which mistakes to avoid in the future.
Thank you once again for reading & reviewing Sam, if there's anything in particular you'd like me to take a look at, don't be shy - just send me a message :-)

[Samuel Dickens]

Oh, that's so nice of you, Kali.