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This poem is part of the contest:

Neopoet Weekly 03/01/26 to 03/07/26 🏆 Winner

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take a bite

how many years will it take?
how many selves?
I take a bite

which parts are left to accept?
I know her
And i said sorry to her
Paid her a visit
Tried on her shoes
Too small
I undid the laces
Took them with me
Carried like armour

I know him;
his dreams
The stars in his eyes;
a swing from a tree by the river,
A bike path through the forest he visited a couple times a week
(alone)
Pretending.
his dark lit room.

I heed
-take a bite

Locked them out
or locked himself in
keeping secrets
One after another
snowballing-
there is nothing left to see

I lock myself in
I lock them all out
Safe here, safe now
Alone
I take a bite

What’s mine cannot also be yours
I don’t trust you
I keep hold

Guarded the sparkle in his eyes
It took years
But it’s since returned

I remember now
I take a bite

the dreams that follow you
the dreams you won’t let go
I keep hold

How many years?
How many selves?
which parts are left to accept?

nothing more to do
what is mine is not for you to approve

— leoferaco, Mar 06, 2026

About This Poem

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Direction: How does this theme appeal to you?

Review Request Intensity: I appreciate moderate constructive criticism

Editing Stage: Rough draft

About the Author

Country/Region: Ontario

Favorite Poets: charles bokowski , sylvia plath , savannah brown, allen ginsberg , mary oliver

More from this author

Critiques

Geezer

Geezer

3 months ago

I found this...

compelling for more than one reason. I think I get "taking a bite". It's like taking a bite of their personality; their essence. Observation from afar, and in secret gives a person power. 
If you decide to do something 'bad' with the information...

There is much truth in the statement: "what is mine is not for you to approve.".

"Guarded the sparkle in his eyes
It took years
But it’s since returned"

If this passage refers to the " I know him..." I would move it closer so that the association would be clearer. ~ Geezer.
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