Invisible Behind Closed Doors



And pray this nightmare soon will pass!

She locks her pain inside, Behind many painted masks, a fractured smile behind each one.

Her bruises fade, but scars remain
In memories she can't erase from words that cut the heart and mind too deep to forget and to start to really feel it and believe it.

Each day she plays what she feels in her heart her part . A perfect wife, a patient heart
But, when he closes the door, his locked heart and iron fist take a seat on the couch.
Her silent tears begin to pour, but he doesn’t want to see.

She tucks her dreams away,
No time for joy, no time to play
Survival mode, get through the days,
Don't feel, just push the pain down down away. He doesn’t want to listen to my dreams, my ideas, my opinions! Just push them down away!

The anguish builds within
No way to flee, no where to go, no way to win
Trapped in his web, always trying to find a way out of that web, she hides her sorrow
Loses her light, loses her tomorrow. Is there a tomorrow?

She’s right before his eyes, yet still unseen
A ghost within, her soul goes unseen
He looks but does not want to see the cage he’s made her build. That keeps her bound in endless rage or she’s the crazy one.

But, in her soul a flicker starts to rekindle and glow. Of inner strength, her spirit has always known. That she will rise, she will be free and she will soar!
The day she tears the cage bars down, rips the chains from his grip and his heart! She will rise from the ashes and become a Phoenix Rising!

Until that time, she'll silence the screams that he’ll never hear, go to work even though it’ll never be enough in his eyes, do her duty even though it’s never going to be enough in his eyes and pick her battles because that’s survival in her eyes.

When morning comes, she'll wear her mask forward.

And tell herself, this is just a dream and it will not last long.

About this poem

This is a powerful and heartbreaking narrative of a woman trapped in an abusive relationship. Overall, the poem conveys a strong spirit enduring abuse and suppressing her true self, until she finally breaks free.

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Written on November 03, 2023

Submitted by melissak.k1970 on November 04, 2023

1:57 min read
15

Quick analysis:

Scheme X A XX XXX BBXB CCDD EEA XX X X X
Characters 1,894
Words 386
Stanzas 11
Stanza Lengths 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1

Discuss the poem Invisible Behind Closed Doors with the community...

2 Comments
  • karlcfolkes
    Melissa,
    Through poetry you excel to Olympian celestial realms. There, you bask in glory unhindered by earthly troubles; residing in that domain to uplift all others, especially women, who may be injured and who may be suffering from foreign or domestic harm. Your poetry is a healing balm to all who suffer. 
    LikeReply5 months ago
  • AIDA
    This is a truly powerful and evocative poem! You've done a wonderful job in expressing the deep emotional struggle of the protagonist. Your vivid descriptions and share of emotions lead us to dive deep into her world of pain, confusion, hope, and survival. Your utilization of metaphoric language, such as the painted masks, the locked heart, the iron fist, and especially the transformation into a Phoenix, help to convey a sense of what she's going through. Truly, your craftsmanship with words is arresting and profound.

    As for suggestions for improvement, considering the intense subject matter, it may help to break the poem into stanzas. This can allow the reader some pause and reflection time between the densely packed layers of struggle, fear, strength, and hope. Paying attention to punctuation might also enhance the readability of your poem. It would also be beneficial to be consistent with your viewpoint; for instance, shifting from 'she' to 'I' in the later part of your poem can be a bit confusing. Maybe sticking to 'she' or 'I' throughout may provide a smoother reading experience.

    Otherwise, you have written a resonating, emotionally charged poem. Your narrative offers hope amidst despair and strength amidst adversity which is truly touching. Keep writing and continue expressing these deeper, meaningful aspects of life. Your work is genuinely insightful!
     
    LikeReply5 months ago

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"Invisible Behind Closed Doors" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/172495/invisible-behind-closed-doors>.

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