Monster Heart

Here is my monstrous
heart. I remember
when bile didn’t mix with blood
as it traveled through
un-gouged walls.

I don’t trust it
not to alarm the unwary
with its feral beat
and shadow roaring
reverberating around old scar tissue.


But I will trust you, always,
with the truth of the stories
behind each scab and bloodied bit,

because this truth,
odd and unshapely,
is the most precious thing
I have to give.





Liner Notes for This Groove: This poem was created for the Weekly Scribblings prompt given at Poets and Storytellers United. I chose to work with the phrase "Love can be a monster, or not."
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42 comments:

  1. Rosemary Nissen-WadeFebruary 16, 2021 at 5:42 PM

    Wow, what a fabulous poem! That's a true love poem. My absolute favourite of yours (so far). It fair knocks me sideways. I wish I'd written it.

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    1. RommyFebruary 23, 2021 at 3:12 PM

      Woot! That's extremely high praise. I'll take it. :)

      Delete
  2. Debra She Who SeeksFebruary 16, 2021 at 8:58 PM

    I like this, Rommy! Direct and powerful!

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  3. Magaly GuerreroFebruary 16, 2021 at 9:53 PM

    This is gorgeous truth, Rommy. I love the speaker's tone. It sings of the power that feeds relationships where those involved share raw reality, particularly the really scary bits. And the imagery lingers...

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    1. RommyFebruary 23, 2021 at 3:13 PM

      Perfect. I was hoping for a bit of viscera to remain on the brain.

      Delete
  4. Gillena CoxFebruary 17, 2021 at 2:18 AM

    Bravo, nice one Rommy

    much love...

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  5. Kim M. RussellFebruary 17, 2021 at 5:56 AM

    This is my kind of poem, Rommy, with a Gothic twist! What an offer, ‘Here is my monstrous heart’, with ‘feral beat and shadow roaring reverberating around old scar tissue’. A heart is a heart, and it is indeed the most precious thing one has to give.

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    1. RommyFebruary 23, 2021 at 3:15 PM

      And it is especially lovely when that given heart is cherished.

      Delete
  6. HelenFebruary 17, 2021 at 10:35 AM

    Truth in the stories, pure power. I love where you took this challenge.

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  7. indybevFebruary 17, 2021 at 12:38 PM

    Our truth is our greatest gift to others. Beautifully written!

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  8. Khaya RonkainenFebruary 17, 2021 at 2:19 PM

    Assertive, powerful and straight to the heart. A brilliant write, Rommy!

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  9. JimFebruary 18, 2021 at 7:18 PM

    Lovely for us monster lovers. You started with a big bang, "I remember
    when bile didn’t mix with blood." I really liked the stories of the scars, my thumb sized splotch has one for sure. When I was around nine I accidentally sliced the scalp off when my bike ride took me under the edges of a metal roof.
    ..

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    1. RommyFebruary 23, 2021 at 3:19 PM

      Oh yikes! LOL, my longest lasting scar is the one from my C-section.

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  10. Magic Love CrowFebruary 19, 2021 at 10:15 PM

    This is so powerful, raw. Very well written! Love this Rommy! Big Hugs!

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  11. UnknownFebruary 20, 2021 at 12:37 AM

    How precious to have those who see the scars and wounds and monsterous bits of us and still stick by our side...

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    1. RommyFebruary 23, 2021 at 3:20 PM

      Precious indeed. And I am ever grateful for it.

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  12. Laura MorriganFebruary 20, 2021 at 7:07 AM

    Beautiful and visceral!

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  13. MarjaFebruary 21, 2021 at 12:47 AM

    Love it Raw true and beautiful

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  14. Gillena CoxFebruary 21, 2021 at 6:55 AM

    Nice one Rommy
    Happy Sunday

    much love...

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  15. colleenFebruary 21, 2021 at 7:14 AM

    And you let it beat and you let it speak! It can't be denied.

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  16. Myrna R.February 21, 2021 at 12:03 PM

    This is powerful. A true lover must accept such raw truth.

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  17. J CFebruary 21, 2021 at 3:16 PM

    A story so true one cannot escape its feeling. The readers know, and remember their own scars and healings as the words flow, as the story is told.

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  18. Old EggFebruary 21, 2021 at 6:42 PM

    It is all part of our education to acknowledge the highs and lows of life. We should learn how to cope early as sooner or later problems even disasters will affect us and we must be strong enough to make the best of it and somehow get back to normal.

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  19. Brother OllieFebruary 21, 2021 at 7:46 PM

    I'm all about truth...keep giving Rommy.

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  20. purplepeninportland.comFebruary 22, 2021 at 8:36 PM

    Stunning poem, Rommy. Truth speaks up.

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  21. Joel (@Stranded Tree)February 24, 2021 at 6:44 AM

    I've read this 4 times and come away with something different each time.
    That's what makes this one great read.
    Introspection, Warning, Truth, Honesty and probably a host of other thoughts each time I read it.

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    1. RommyFebruary 24, 2021 at 7:34 AM

      I am beyond tickled by this. I love it when a poem can hold a few different worlds in its orbit.

      Delete

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