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This story may contain sensitive material or discuss topics that some readers may find distressing. Reader discretion is advised. The views and opinions expressed in this story are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Vocal.
Target Practice
For Poppy's January Prompting
Leftovers of their actions
Reminders of my own
Weeping memories of battles past
Angry eyes of glaring hate
-0-
The crumpled mess of broken flesh
Is all that I've become.
-0-
Following the whipcrack rebuke
Tearing into what's left of me.
What I've rebuilt since the last...
That previous and fearsome battle
-0-
Yet still, do not I carry on?
After every volley and with every dawn?
-0-
My blood is spattered across my years.
Ruby drops from gaping wounds.
Holes torn in very essence.
By the bullets of your words.
-0-
Perforated lungs
and riddled heart
-0-
Another shattered rib
One more murdered dream
With violent action I try to staunch
My life as it drains away
-0-
Yet my hands are gently pulled away
By my actions to my dismay
-0-
As many or more wounds that you have caused
The bullet holes in my fractured soul
Are mine alone
That only I can mend
-0-
Am I able to, I wonder though
Plug the holes that life has punched
-0-
On my hands my blood is red
In my hands the gun I used
To put these holes in my very soul
Beside and around the ones you caused
-0-
Bullet holes that might not heal
Even if I take the risk and try to mend...
---
This poem was inspired by Poppy's January Challenge. I highly encourage you all to give the rules a read, load your own submissions, and fire them off to her.
About the Creator
Alexander McEvoy
Writing has been a hobby of mine for years, so I'm just thrilled to be here! As for me, I love writing, dogs, and travel (only 1 continent left! Australia-.-)
I hope you enjoy what you read and I can't wait to see your creations :)
Keep reading
More stories from Alexander McEvoy and writers in Poets and other communities.
Vale Perficientur
"My tears need a minute to find the edges of my face. If you'll please excuse me." The sarcasm stabbed into Juliana’s heart. Antonia glared at her from the pit of the Lyceum as her student fought to hold back tears that had nothing to do with the pain in her fingers. “You’re better than this, again.”
By Matthew Fromm6 days ago in Fiction
Comments (6)
This is so raw and evocative and beautiful. I want to copy and paste every line because it's all so perfect, but I'll try to pick my very favourites. "Yet still, do not I carry on? After every volley and with every dawn?" Ahhh, that's such a gorgeous two lines. So inspiring yet also validating. "Am I able to, I wonder though Plug the holes that life has punched" So relatable and worded wonderfully. Really great work with this!!
This is sad, yet beautifully written. Well done.
Whoaaa, this was so dark, poignant and emotional! I loved both your poem and your cover photo! May I know what was the prompt you used to create that pic?
Nicely shot AM, I just hope that flesh can recover from the wounds and be whole again.
Best one in my opinion, and there was some stiff competition. Stand by for T.S. in 3..2..
Wow! Cleaverly powerful! Love the "-0- s" "On my hands my blood is red In my hands the gun I used To put these holes in my soul itself Beside and around the ones you caused -0- Bullet holes that might not heal Even if I take the risk and try to mend..." I trust we all mend from such 'bullet holes'.