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This poem is part of the challenge:

08/24 I Lost The Instructions 🏆 Winner

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I Lost The Instructions to being a woman

I Lost The Instructions
to being a woman

You beat "Her" out of me
leaving my soul tattered.
In the beginning you were kind
warm and jovial, it mattered.

Gradually you began to change
taking me away from all I knew,
from Minnesota to the east coast
an easy ride we drove straight through.

I discovered your evil temper
on our trip, it left me in fear,
knocking me down, kicking me
you bellowed, shouting, making it clear.

You were the boss, and me your slave
seeing the cruel glint in your eye
was an omen of what was soon to come
you would test me in ways to make me cry...

Each new day was a promise of terror
you invented head-games to play.
In fear, I trembled trying to hide
tried not to anticipate the rue of the day.

Nights were bad too, I cowered under covers
You brutalized me sexually to hear me scream
threatening to blow my head off my shoulders
losing connection with my idea of a woman's dream!

About This Poem

Last Few Words: contest: I Lost The Instructions "Dutch" (Ralph H.)

Style/Type: Structured: Western

Review Request Direction: What did you think of my title?
How was my language use?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How does this theme appeal to you?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft

About the Author

Region, Country: Northwestern Wisconsin USA, USA

Favorite Poets: Edgar Allan Poe, William Blake, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Carlos Castaneda, Jim Morrison, the whole of Neopoet and many more.

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Comments

neopoet

neopoet

10 months 3 weeks ago

Neopoet AI (premium) - 5-29-23 version

The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet's computer artificial intelligence:

This poem effectively communicates a narrative of abuse and fear, using clear and evocative language. However, there are areas where the poem could be improved.

Firstly, the poem could benefit from a more consistent rhythm or meter. The lines vary in length, which can disrupt the flow of the poem. Experimenting with syllable count or stress patterns might help to create a more rhythmic reading experience.

Secondly, the poem could use more imagery and metaphor. While the narrative is clear, the language is quite literal and straightforward. Using more figurative language could help to evoke the emotions of the poem more vividly.

Lastly, the title and opening line suggest that the poem will explore the concept of womanhood, but this theme isn't fully developed. The poem could delve deeper into the speaker's struggle with their identity as a woman, perhaps by exploring how the abuse they suffer distorts their understanding of what it means to be a woman.

In conclusion, while the poem effectively communicates a powerful narrative, it could be improved by refining the rhythm, incorporating more figurative language, and developing the theme of womanhood more fully.

Please send feedback about Neo (our computer generated critique system) to https://www.neopoet.com/contact

Lavender

Lavender

10 months 3 weeks ago

Hello, Cat,

I hope this piece contains a lot of poetic liberty and is not an experience of your own, although your last few words hint that it is personal on some level. If it is, I'm so glad you have your poetry to help shed the hurt and anger, and heal going forward.
Lx

Candlewitch

Candlewitch

10 months 3 weeks ago

Dearest Lavender,

The events written here were toned down a great deal. I spent a year with that man unwillingly. I was 21 and his captive. think Biker Mentality ... He was in the Minnesota Chapter of the "Outlaws" Motorcycle Club (the oldest Motorcycle club in the world!) I think I must have been an "a-hole magnet" on a happier note, he was shot in the head and killed while he was doing a house burglary! I hate to say it but...I smiled when I heard that, the first in a long time, and I rejoiced! then I started sobbing uncontrollably ... freedom

*hugs, Cat

Lavender

Lavender

10 months 3 weeks ago

Hello, Cat,

So sorry that you experienced this. So glad you made it away safely and could write about it.
Lx

Candlewitch

Candlewitch

10 months 3 weeks ago

I found out...

much later, that my exhusband (21 y. o.) sold me to him! thank you for reading and commenting.

*hugs, Cat

Clentin

Clentin

9 months 4 weeks ago

Wow! Your poem really

Wow! Your poem really expresses a violent and terrible relationship. His instructions far exceeded
What was natural.
Sad poem, but very good
Oem!

Candlewitch

Candlewitch

9 months 4 weeks ago

Thank you,

Dearest Clentin,

It was a terrible and terrifying experience. One of those things that you never quite forget. ever! After it was over, I had to relearn how to exist. I am now married to Steven, known to Neo poets as unca fez. He is everything I ever dreamed of as a husband and friend.

*hugs, Cat

Candlewitch

Candlewitch

9 months 4 weeks ago

Dear Clentin,

thank you for reading again. I really do appreciate the kindness of your comments I think you are a very good and worthwhile person and exceptional poet.

*hugs, Cat

Unca Fez

Unca Fez

9 months 3 weeks ago

Congratulations!

Congratulations on your winning the contest. Your poem gives a hint of why a battered woman stays. Good job!

Candlewitch

Candlewitch

9 months 3 weeks ago

Thank You,

Steven,

yes I was too broken to leave. He had a tight grip on me. An invisible leash of intense fear, being told that 'He" will hunter me down and kill me. The broken jaw also kept me in line, thanks for the good wishes.

*love, Cat

B

Beverley Claud…

8 months 1 week ago

Hello Cat

Hello Cat

This is a sensitive issue for many. Your adaptation pulls at the heart strings. It is very descriptive and relays it's intention with accuracy. Thank you for sharing.

Candlewitch

Candlewitch

8 months 1 week ago

Dear Beverley Claude,

Thank you for reading this poem and writing such a warm and heartfelt comment. I appreciate your doing this!

hugs, Cat xxx

Wallyroo92

Wallyroo92

7 months 1 week ago

I Lost The Instructions...

Let me start by saying thank you for sharing your experience, for as traumatic as this was, your resilience shines through in poetry.

Excellent flow and rhyme on this. The title is grabbed my attention, one can feel the emotional pull of what must've been such a scary phase in your life.

Great work.
W

Candlewitch

Candlewitch

7 months 1 week ago

Dear W,

Thank you so very much for reading, understanding and commenting! It was truly a harrowing experience but it taught me much about the world. When I heard he was shot/killed by the police, I rejoiced, Then was ashamed for my reaction of callousness. Hugs, Cat

Ruby Lord

Ruby Lord

7 months 1 week ago

You lay bare the harrowing

You lay bare the harrowing experience of abuse, crafting a narrative that is as heart breaking as it is courageous.

The title, suggests not only the confusion caused by trauma but also the stripping away of identity at the hands of another.
Your poem holds a mirror to the silence that surrounds abuse. It’s a brave piece, one that deserves recognition for its unflinching portrayal of a reality too many endure in silence.

Congratulations on winning, so sorry you had to go through this agonising experience. Hope you are well, take care. Much love and thank you for sharing. Ruby xxx :)

Candlewitch

Candlewitch

7 months 1 week ago

Dearest Ruby,

There have been many studies on the actions/reactions of victims. I fell into the classic role, and was almost swept away. He threatened to kill me, but he only broke my jaw and a few ribs. I tricked him into kicking me out of the house! I was wearing only my bathing suit, but a person takes an opportunity when it presents itself! I walked to my mother's house, going by alleyways zig-zagging in case he changed his mind and came to find me. I felt like a coward. Thank you for the congrats on the poem's win! Cat xxx