A Twisted Affair

Summary

Sherry McGuinn's poem "A Twisted Affair" is a raw and passionate response to the poetry prompt "Satisfaction," exploring themes of desire, control, and the complexities of a tumultuous relationship.

Abstract

"A Twisted Affair" is a poem by Sherry McGuinn that delves into the intense and conflicted emotions of a relationship that is both physically and emotionally charged. The poem, a response to the prompt "Satisfaction," conveys a demand for immediate gratification, a yearning for deep connection, and a struggle with the power dynamics within the relationship. McGuinn's words paint a picture of a person who is both captivated and entrapped by their partner, oscillating between the desire for closeness and the recognition of the partner's duplicity. The poem reflects on the act of giving oneself fully to another, only to find that there is little left of the self. Despite the speaker's awareness of their partner's deceitful nature, there is an admission that in another life, they would not allow such proximity. The poem concludes with McGuinn acknowledging others who have contributed to the prompt and inviting readers to explore more of her work.

Opinions

The speaker expresses a strong desire for immediate and fulfilling physical satisfaction, indicating a sense of urgency and entitlement.
There is a recognition of the partner's experience and skill in providing pleasure, yet this is juxtaposed with the partner's manipulative nature.
The poem suggests that the relationship is both exhilarating and destructive, with the speaker acknowledging the paradoxical nature of their attraction.
The speaker feels both empowered and vulnerable, having given much of themselves to the relationship, which has left them depleted.
There is an underlying resentment towards the partner, who is referred to as a "prick," yet the speaker also desires a slow and deliberate satisfaction from this same person.
The poem implies that the speaker's involvement in the relationship is incongruent with their usual judgment, as they admit they would normally avoid someone like their partner.
McGuinn's personal note at the end expresses gratitude to those who engaged with the prompt and extends an invitation to readers to connect with her further through her newsletter and other works.

A response to the poetry prompt, “Satisfaction”

Image by Victoria Borodinova/Pixabay

Give me what I want, And give it to me now. You’ve given it to others. Don’t pretend you don’t know how.

Touch me where I like it best. With feeling, pretty please. Satisfy my every urge. Don’t think that you can tease.

Except of course in those hot spots. That stoke my inner fire. And dampen my resolve to say, “I know that you’re a liar.”

Twist me ‘round and tie a knot. Your touch as ever, deft. I’ve given all I have to you. There’s precious little left.

Satisfy me now, you prick. But take your time, my dear. In any other lifetime. There’s no way I’d let you near.

Sherry McGuinn is a slightly-twisted, longtime Chicago-area writer and award-winning screenwriter. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and numerous other publications. Sherry’s soon-to-be-ex-manager is currently NOT pitching her newest screenplay, a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story.

Thanks for reading, guys. If you enjoyed this, I’d love for you to check out the following, as well as my newsletter, Sherry Raw.

POETRY/POETRY PROMPT

A Twisted Affair

A response to the poetry prompt, “Satisfaction”

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