Abused

A stinging slap mark,
Hangs on her face.
The words are all cruel,
Meant to put her in place.

The pain is too real,
So with tears in her eyes,
She’ll look quickly away,
And bleed out last cries.

She’s on the floor now,
As the ref counts to three,
Her opponent just smiles,
She’s easy to beat.

One last kick in the ribs,
For pain is her pleasure.
One last slap in the face,
And some spit for good measure.

The shadow exits the ring,
Yet she can still feel the stare.
But the saddest part is...

She was the only one there.

Reviews

[Kaylor Mason]

Many times enemies within the mind are worse than the real thing . . . no, no I take that back. They are worse all the time

[Lina Grey]

People tend to be their own worst critic, enemy, etc. Yor always harder on yorself than on others it seems, and this is a perfect example of that. The use of physical pain in place of mental was creative and surprising. Excellent piece. Thank you.

[Nicole]

thank you very much :)

[Harley (arbiter)]

I understood the meaning and everything. It is usually ourselves who cause us the most pain. Its our minds. This was a great poem

[Nicole]

that was exactly what i was going for. the worst fight is always with ourselves.

[Destructive Impulse]

Very interesting ending. I loved the deceit. Confused about one thing. If it was sel harm how did she kick herself in the ribs.

[Nicole]

there are many things this poem could be saying, but when i wrote it, i wrote it in the frame of mind of an eating disorder. the kick (and everything else for that matter) is purely metaphorical. when you're battling with something so internalized, it can be worse than actually stepping into the ring, because no matter what, you know you're going to lose. you can swing all you want, you're the only one getting hurt. and yet you fight anyway, because there's nothing else you can do. it's addictive.

[Destructive Impulse]

Ah I see.

And sorry about the eating disorder thing.

[Nicole]

i can see how it's confusing lol and it's really not a problem anymore. histories will never change, but the future's up to us.

[Destructive Impulse]

Well still you never really get rid of an eating disorder

[Nicole]

believe me, i know. it's never easy and it never will be. the deamons are always just one mirror away. healing is a process that takes time. years, even. it's a constant battle, but fighting to get well is much better than fighting to destroy. you're not alone anymore.

[Destructive Impulse]

Wait do you mean you're as in me?

[Nicole]

i meant the broad "you," every person who's ever been in that place.

[Destructive Impulse]

Oh sorry

[Nicole]

not at all :)