stalemate
or surrender
I toss you away...you stick like cling wrap.
We grapple, you win.
Again.
I build up my strength,
Toss a bomb in your face...you bat it away like a gnat.
Fuck, why can't I shake you
When I manage to lose everything else?
I push, you pull.
I scream, you choke.
S t a l e m a t e.
No getting rid of you...you can't let me be,
Super-glued to a trigger,
Diffused before detonation.
Over and over
We dance the macabre,
Our skeletons rattling.
I push you away...you spin back in my arms,
Locked in a fatal embrace.
No choice left but to join us,
Your triumph is tragic.
We meld into one, your ghost
Seeps down to my bones,
And we sigh.
Together forever, self-doubt and I–
The Imposter.
____________________________________________________
Thank you so much for reading!
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
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More stories from Heather Hubler and writers in Poets and other communities.
To Give Your Last Twenty
He walks oddly, shuffling and nearly tripping down the hallway toward his apartment door. I slow my pace, allowing my neighbor— a stuffy ex-marine with one missing tooth and a strong odor of liquor and two weeks' worth of unwashed stench always accompanying him—to reach his door. I crinkle my nose, nearly gagging as he dawdles ahead.
By Ashley4 days ago in Motivation
Comments (56)
Holy frick. How did I miss this one. Jeez. Deep resonance is all I can manage. Deep. Resonance. Deep.
Wow, I loved this metaphoric piece 💙Anneliese
fantastic writing! I enjoyed it immensely.
Meant to come back the other day and comment on this. Beautifully written and so relatable, Heather! Your words danced me right through the turmoil. Such an incredible piece!
Oh my. I’ve been there. Great poem Heather 🥰🥇
Good job, congratulations on top story
Woaw that was real love the photo and how freely You express almost like a kung Fu words state I hope You can heal from all the pain and harm and become One loving Yourself Your Heart and shake it all off from Your whole being to become Light full of Love united Congratulations on Your Top story ! 😊💜❤️
Executed with lovely finesse. I think this is something we all relate too deeply in a number of given fields. Another TS well deserved Heather.
As always, just brilliant! 🥹 So relatable and so, so powerful, my friend. This brought a bit of tears to my eyes. ❤️ You are a poetic genius 🥹
Wooohooooo congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
I like the strength of character you've shown by looking into the dark negativity of this imposter and going for the details. Poet Warrior!
Just excellent. Love the reveal at the end 👏🏼
Congrats on a brilliant top story Heather!
Wonderful, it truly speaks to us writers.
Ah, the plight of the writer.
Congratulations ❤️
This was so relatable and engaging!! I love the way you personified the negative thought!! Great work Heather!!
Congratulations on the Top Story Heather!
Congrats on the top story! This piece has such strong emotion, too relatable!
Congrats, Legend.
Well, that was relatable! Congratulations, Heather!
Wow, that was so powerful, especially that ending. I did not expect that. Congrats on the Top Story.
Congrats on the TS, Legend.
Back again...Congratulations on wonderful top story! 🤍
I think these feelings live within us all. I loved this. Congrats on the Top Story