Odes to Life, Love, Loss, and Loyalty - 1. Chapter 1

Wow Gary!  What a great piece of writing!  The raw power of the emotions was staggering. 

Wow. I'm not one for poetry usually but this gripped me and didn't let go. I don't know what to say except, this is brilliant.

Oh boy. This escalated quickly. A flash back to 17y old Gnomie. Luckily, I’m a fast learner with low tolerance for BS, but ‘love’ does crazy things and make you want to see things that aren’t there.

Well done. Thank you for this. 

Unfortunately, too many people suffer through relationships such as this.  I was taken advantage of in a similar situation when I was younger, but fortunately it didn't come to such a drastic end.  I hope this might enlighten others so they can get out of a bad situation before it's too late.  Nice work.  

I am encompassed by so many feelings right now, I can’t choose an emoji.

The first is JOY!! at seeing a piece from you but it is tempered due to the subject matter.

You brilliantly brought us through the painful end to a destructive relationship.  This piece will resonate with all who read it….for those who’ve experienced the same awakening, it taps into a wellspring of emotions walking down memory lane.

 I’m glad you got your hit in-it was deserved;  it’s supposed to be wrong, violence begets violence, blah blah blah…..It’s not wrong when you’re defending yourself….it’s not wrong when it’s overdue….it’s not wrong when that’s the only passage to freedom.

Freedom is never free-there is pain in rebirth, but it is worth it. 
 
Thank you for this Gary, your gift of storytelling was a wonderful way to start my day….I’ll think of an emoji soon, lol.

 

Very powerful statement of one's eyes being opened to truth and leading to personal freedom.  Great writing!

This piece beautifully gives a voice to those who often feel they cannot speak for themselves while in a very ugly situation. It gives power and understanding to those who desperately need it at a time when they realize control was previously taken from them. Well done. Thank you. 

I'm frustrated I cannot choose more than one reaction icon.  I love this because this poem radiates raw emotion. You make me feel as you felt in those moments, and also in this present instant. You drew me in and held me breathless as I read deeper and deeper into the poem. As others have said, this is enormously powerful.  At the same time, I want to hit the sadness icon for the pain you endured, and hurt you continue to feel. I'd also use the anger icon because I'm angry someone wounded you so sorely.

Wonderfully written piece. It brings out an array of emotions. Finding strength to leave an abusive situation is often the most difficult decision one can make. 

Amazing and very visceral, it was not a poem that readers enjoy, rather it is something we experience in the perspective of an abused lover/partner/spouse. 

@Headstall Thank you for sharing this great piece with us!

Amazing. I was gripped by the power and emotion, of the situation.

I'm not one to cross the street for poetry but...

The raw emotion, the angst and pain along with the ending of abuse was visceral and was well done!

Loved the following...

I witnessed your rising fear as I pressed you to uncloak

I saw your panic, for I had never challenged you before

But this day was different… it was the end of pretense

And I no longer feared losing someone I saw no depth in

You should never have grabbed my arm and yanked

Pushing between me and the door when I sought to leave

The fool you are didn’t see your controlling days were over

Or that trying to hold me in place was now a symbol of our past

A great and powerful piece of poetry! Thanks for sharing this with us, dark and bloody. Painful and sad that we have to live thru this stuff

Thanks for sharing

First, I chose 'Love' because the lyrical self persevered.

With every stanza shackles have been shed, freedom came closer for body, mind and soul. 

You found perfect words to describe a rough road. I myself feel a little raw and shaken after reading this.

Thank you for sharing, Gary.

~Adi

Anniversaries can be times for reflection, giving thanks, and perhaps, heaving a sigh of relief.

They can also be an opportunity for baring your soul. Thank you, Gary, for having the courage to let us into this episode of your life. To escape an abusive relationship needs a special kind of courage, I think. I'm glad you're out the other side and living your life as you want it. 

Very powerful description of the moment when someone finally sees a toxic relationship for what it really is. 
 

But this day was different… it was the end of pretense

That line sums it up so well.

On 9/8/2022 at 4:12 AM, raven1 said:

Wow Gary!  What a great piece of writing!  The raw power of the emotions was staggering. 

Thank you, Terry! This was actually the first thing I wrote after an extended period of brain fog and lassitude from covid. Poetry is an important outlet for me, and I appreciate this one had a powerful impact on you. Cheers!  

On 9/8/2022 at 6:12 AM, Mancunian said:

Wow. I'm not one for poetry usually but this gripped me and didn't let go. I don't know what to say except, this is brilliant.

Thank you so much, Mancunian! This one was definitely personal, and I appreciate hearing how it affected you. Cheers!  

On 9/8/2022 at 6:42 AM, Mrsgnomie said:

Oh boy. This escalated quickly. A flash back to 17y old Gnomie. Luckily, I’m a fast learner with low tolerance for BS, but ‘love’ does crazy things and make you want to see things that aren’t there.

Well done. Thank you for this. 

Thank you, Mrsgnomie! I had hoped readers would relate to this one. You're right about love clouding our vision in such a way that, in hindsight, can seem ridiculous... even pathetic to the victim. The experience forever changed me... and caution became my companion. Appreciate the kind support. Cheers!  

On 9/8/2022 at 7:26 AM, Bill W said:

Unfortunately, too many people suffer through relationships such as this.  I was taken advantage of in a similar situation when I was younger, but fortunately it didn't come to such a drastic end.  I hope this might enlighten others so they can get out of a bad situation before it's too late.  Nice work.  

Hey, Bill! I expected I wasn't alone in this experience. I think maybe in our community especially, there is disillusionment and bitterness when it comes to navigating love. The parameters of it can be so varied and different, with opportunities literally around every corner.  

If this little poem helps open others' eyes to their unhealthy situations, then I am well pleased. Thanks for taking the time to read and support. Cheers!   

On 9/8/2022 at 8:00 AM, FanLit said:

I am encompassed by so many feelings right now, I can’t choose an emoji.

The first is JOY!! at seeing a piece from you but it is tempered due to the subject matter.

You brilliantly brought us through the painful end to a destructive relationship.  This piece will resonate with all who read it….for those who’ve experienced the same awakening, it taps into a wellspring of emotions walking down memory lane.

 I’m glad you got your hit in-it was deserved;  it’s supposed to be wrong, violence begets violence, blah blah blah…..It’s not wrong when you’re defending yourself….it’s not wrong when it’s overdue….it’s not wrong when that’s the only passage to freedom.

Freedom is never free-there is pain in rebirth, but it is worth it. 
 
Thank you for this Gary, your gift of storytelling was a wonderful way to start my day….I’ll think of an emoji soon, lol.

 

 

You are so sweet, my friend. No one was more joyful than me that I started writing again.  

I am not a violent person at all, but am no shrinking violet either. I warned him, but it fell on deaf ears, much like everything else before that day. Still, I am not proud of how we ended. 

I like what you say about freedom. The pain was definitely worth it, even though it wrecked me after the fact. It was an important lesson to learn about myself. Turns out I was more like my mother than I ever would have thought.  

Thank you so much for your kind words, FanLit. You always manage to lift me up. Cheers!    

On 9/8/2022 at 8:06 AM, pvtguy said:

Very powerful statement of one's eyes being opened to truth and leading to personal freedom.  Great writing!

Thank you so much, Tony. I am thankful for the support this poem has received. Cheers!  

On 9/8/2022 at 9:22 AM, 84Mags said:

This piece beautifully gives a voice to those who often feel they cannot speak for themselves while in a very ugly situation. It gives power and understanding to those who desperately need it at a time when they realize control was previously taken from them. Well done. Thank you. 

Giving up control happened over years, and it's hard to even know it's happening, Mags. I won't say what finally opened my eyes, but there was no denying the situation I was in any longer. That hurt, but it also forced me to change. I've never wanted to control anyone... only to share, so I believe I was unprepared for the process. I would say violence is never the answer, but it certainly gave punctuation to my words of conviction on that day. Thank you, my friend. Cheers!  

On 9/8/2022 at 10:29 AM, Parker Owens said:

I'm frustrated I cannot choose more than one reaction icon.  I love this because this poem radiates raw emotion. You make me feel as you felt in those moments, and also in this present instant. You drew me in and held me breathless as I read deeper and deeper into the poem. As others have said, this is enormously powerful.  At the same time, I want to hit the sadness icon for the pain you endured, and hurt you continue to feel. I'd also use the anger icon because I'm angry someone wounded you so sorely.

 I have been frustrated in that way too, Parker, but your words couldn't be any clearer... or rewarding. As poets, we often bare ourselves, because poetry is nothing if it is not honest. 

This is an experience I have relived over and over, and as much as it causes turmoil, it does not cause regret. Composing it had two sides... it was a release of sorts, as poetry often is, but it also plunged me back into that very long day. Thankfully, I've never let myself get to that point again.

Your kind support means a lot, my friend. If I can hold you breathless, I did something right. Cheers!