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des
des
This poem is part of the contest:

Neopoet Weekly 02/15/26 to 02/21/26 🏆 Winner

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Puppet

A mouth tight at the edges,
curved in a cheshire-like smile,
so painful, it felt like
her lips would start tearing.
Voices, oh so many
voices whispering, screaming
her head is pounding
the room, spins and spins and
spins.
Words claw her throat,
pleas of mercy at ignorant ghosts,
she feels the thorns tightening
around her heart, her soul.
Like a spider bite, she feels her conscience slip
through her fingers, like a worthless thread.
Control is handed over,
the shadow looms over her, steading its grip
on the strings,
the bell calls and she is uptight,
a helpless puppet
in the puppeteer's unforgiving hands.

About This Poem

Last Few Words: This poem is for anyone that feels trapped in their silence and controlled by expectations. Thank you for taking time to read it!

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Direction: What did you think of my title?
How was my language use?
How does this theme appeal to you?
Is the internal logic consistent?

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

Editing Stage: Not actively editing

About the Author

Country/Region: GRC

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Comments

neopoet

neopoet

2 months ago

Neopoet AI [2025-04]

The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet’s AI:

This poem effectively conveys a sense of internal struggle and loss of control, using vivid and often unsettling imagery. The metaphor of the puppet is a strong central image that ties the emotional turmoil to the idea of external manipulation or domination.

A few points for consideration:

1. **Imagery and Metaphor:** The poem uses powerful images such as "mouth tight at the edges," "thorns tightening," and "spider bite" to evoke discomfort and pain. These images contribute well to the theme but could be refined for clarity and impact. For example, "like a spider bite" is somewhat ambiguous—does it refer to sudden pain, poison, or paralysis? Clarifying this could enhance the metaphor.

2. **Consistency and Flow:** The poem shifts between physical sensations ("her lips would start tearing," "her head is pounding") and more abstract concepts ("ignorant ghosts," "conscience slip"). While this adds depth, some transitions feel abrupt. Consider smoothing the flow by linking these images more cohesively or expanding on the relationships between them.

3. **Word Choice and Syntax:** There are minor issues that disrupt the reading experience. For instance, "steading its grip" likely intends "steadies its grip" or "steadies its hold." Also, "pleas of mercy at ignorant ghosts" is a compelling line but might benefit from rephrasing for grammatical clarity, such as "pleas for mercy to ignorant ghosts."

4. **Rhythm and Line Breaks:** The poem’s rhythm is free-form, which suits the chaotic theme. However, some lines could be restructured to enhance pacing and emphasis. For example, "the room, spins and spins and / spins" effectively conveys dizziness but might gain from a more deliberate line break or repetition pattern to heighten the effect.

5. **Emotional Impact:** The poem successfully communicates distress and helplessness. To deepen the emotional resonance, consider exploring the puppet metaphor further—perhaps by illustrating the puppeteer's nature or the consequences of this control more explicitly.

Overall, the poem presents a compelling emotional landscape with vivid imagery but would benefit from careful editing for clarity, syntax, and flow to maximize its impact.

Please send feedback about Neo (our AI critique system) to neopoet.com/contact

Sen99

Sen99

2 months ago

El Tittere

The metaphor of the puppet is used in an interesting way, a cruel puppet master enforcing control and finally submission, suggestion of abuse, a dark poem of bondage and control.

Well scribed and shared

Sen99

BlueSkies

BlueSkies

2 months ago

des,

I find this poem so intriguing.  The imagery is outstanding, and the metaphors are clear.  The line breaks, flow, and consistency are all right on cue.  I very much enjoyed reading and re-reading this one.  Thanks for sharing!