Mental Cruelty

Cherry

By Deliberately Evolving

Wed, 14 Oct 2015
  • 2347 reads
12 comments
 
Mental Cruelty
 
With head held high,
a smile upon her face,
acquaintances embrace;
"we're all well, yes keeping busy, 
jobs going fine and you etc?" 
She became accustomed 
to getting on and ignoring 
the gnawing, griping pain,
tying up her stomach in knots,
face flushed hot with worry,
fear carefully hidden 
by makeup mask
and practiced expression 
of blank calm.
No blood or bruises
mark the skin 
to indicate the bullying within,
behind closed doors, 
away from prying eyes.
He holds her hand and talks 
and laughs to friends, makes jokes -
"what a great guy, always ready 
to jump in and help wherever he can.
Hardworking, family man".
 
Yet all the while, 
the smile she hides behind, 
that shrouds the pain, 
is slipping;
gradually revealing she's drowning.
But people look on,
tut and roll their eyes 
at the silly, hormonal woman 
making a fuss,
until at last, grip lost...
she slips below the surface of despair
into icy waters of depths unknown.
Consumed, finished and gone. 
"What went wrong?" 
they say, "what a shame!"
Without a thought 
that all along 
they had ignored 
her cries for help 
and just moved on.
Certificate U
Poem
Philosophy
Opinion
Other Fiction

Comments

Submitted by love_writing on

This struck a cord AE. Skilfully written, I like the conversational tone which contrasts with the the 'hidden' abuse. Hard working family man - yes from the outsiders eyes. 

love_writing

Submitted by Deliberately Ev... on

Often they are but unable to cope with a relationship because of their insecurities.

The beat of your heart is the mellifluent rhythm to my soul.

Submitted by Pat G on

Such crafted writing, probing the lasting damage so many people suffer. "Consumed, finished and gone."

Submitted by Deliberately Ev... on

Thanks Pat - too many people it is extremely consuming and the extent of the damage is not always recognised by even them.

The beat of your heart is the mellifluent rhythm to my soul.

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I too wondered if you had written something similar before, and probably worth telling again anyway. We're getting such a moving about society, that old friends, and family, even extended family aren't near to notice things like this. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Deliberately Ev... on

It is a rewrite Rhiannon. You have a good memory too. It is worth telling because it is so minimised in society but so damaging.

The beat of your heart is the mellifluent rhythm to my soul.

Submitted by Bee on

Maybe people know more than she realises, and maybe she only thinks they think her silly and hormonal because he's taken away her self esteem and confidence. Heartbreaking piece of writing, well done.

Bee

Submitted by Deliberately Ev... on

Perhaps you are right Bee but it would be hard to tell wouldn't it. Thanks for your comment. I re wrote this piece and I'm glad you thought it was good.

The beat of your heart is the mellifluent rhythm to my soul.

Submitted by Deliberately Ev... on

Thanks admin for the cherries. I appreciate it. 

The beat of your heart is the mellifluent rhythm to my soul.

Submitted by loquaciousicity on

Drew me in... sucked me down!

Nice poem!

Submitted by Deliberately Ev... on

Thanks Terry

The beat of your heart is the mellifluent rhythm to my soul.

Submitted by torscot on

Bear has said it all for me.

Such a sad read and all the more because  "...they had ignored her cries for help and just moved on..."

 

torscot