avatarNatalie Frank, Ph.D.

Summary

"Scarred Lament" is a reflective poem exploring the emotional and psychological impact of past betrayals and the formation of scars as a metaphor for personal growth and resilience.

Abstract

The poem "Scarred Lament" delves into the depths of emotional scarring, likening the accumulation of emotional wounds to volcanic lava flows that eventually break the surface. It portrays the betrayal of trust as a double-edged sword, where the act of giving is undercut by simultaneous taking, leading to a landscape altered by deceit. The narrative voice recounts the struggle to reconstruct reality, driven by a desire for attention and admiration, while acknowledging the absence of genuine sentiment in this pursuit. The poem emphasizes the pain of these scars as a testament to one's existence and truth, contrasting with the callousness of those who inflict wounds without acknowledgment or remorse. The legacy left behind is one of monstrosity, with scars continuing to form even in the absence of their source. The poem concludes with a note of inspiration drawn from the work of Chelsea Marie and a brief biography of the author, Natalie Frank, highlighting her literary achievements and editorial roles.

Opinions

  • The author conveys a sense of betrayal and distrust that cuts deep, affecting the core of one's being.
  • Emotional scars are depicted as a visible manifestation of internal struggles, which although painful, serve as reminders of one's resilience and authenticity.
  • The poem suggests that those who inflict emotional wounds without acknowledging their actions lack fortitude and will be remembered unfavorably.
  • There is a critique of the pursuit of admiration and attention at the expense of genuine sentiment and self-awareness.
  • The author reflects on the process of reshaping one's reality to cope with past traumas and the manipulations that may ensue from this.
  • The poem expresses a yearning for a world where true sentiment is valued over superficial cooing and agreement.
  • Natalie Frank acknowledges the inspiration drawn from Chelsea Marie for this poem, indicating a community of influence among poets.

Scarred Lament

Response to the prompt from Medium Poets: Scars

Image by Napaporn Sripirom from Pixabay

My scars were carved before my memories held Cut deep into the heart to teach Betrays and distrust in those Who should inspire the infinite trust Double sided, pretending to give with one hand While taking with the other The first sneaking back to draw more blood Sightless to the eyes but rendered in full to the soul.

The scars build a top each other Until like lava flows growing ever greater Upon touching the ice cold depths build To finally break above the currents surface The corded flesh emerges from unconsciousness Blemishing, disfiguring, defiling What nature wrought in naive innocence To crush like glass beneath sharp heel

All you ever wanted was attention To create an image that you were not Nor even wished to be But had just enough bare insight To realize others would admire you for Even if you had no idea why Nor what it was to even admire in your own right Only what it looked like when received, what it meant

You go about reconstructing reality Recanting, Reversing, Revising Creating a new world in every moment But one that is informed by demons and cloven devil The absence of all true sentiment you miss it not For it is enough that others coo and call, pet and cajole Comfort, sympathize, and most importantly Agree with your manipulations

The changed landscape was altered Before I could ever know Such an inhospitable habitat What not the normal way of things Deceit held out in your palm As if it were the rarest of jewels I should know to value Even within contradiction

Yet the scars have grown too thick to be ignored And though painful the pain at least a reminder That I am here, I am real, I am true Your lack of scars speaks not to fortitude But to one so callous in regard That they do not exist now, nor ever did And as for future days Memory will not be kind Your only legacy that of monstrosity Continuing to form new scars Even when their source no longer remains

Thanks to Chelsea Marie for the inspiration for this poem.

Natalie Frank (Taye Carrol) has had work featured in Haunted Waters Press, Weirdbook Magazine, Siren’s Call Publications, Lycan Valley Press and Zero Fiction among others. Her poetry has been featured in several anthologies. She is Editor for 1-One-Infinity and One Table, One World and Editor in Chief for Mental Gecko and Promposity. Natalie is also the Managing Editor for Novellas and Serials at LVP Publications.

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