The Pendulum
The line between victim and villain is painfully thin
she swings from broken
to wrathful
tick to tock
cursing those who harmed her
her heart calcified rock
believing the sword
to be the better way
parry becomes plunge
strike and lunge
rejecting
victim identity
.
No longer petrified
but burning inside
fuelled on anger
Corroding, distorting,
erasing, contorting
what is purest
tock to tick
Vulnerability ablaze
a furious haze
justifying instead of crying
compassion quickly dying
.
Prey becomes hunter
red cape to wolf
tick to tock
Transforming fast
plunged into a world, vast
Her latest chapter
an inevitable disaster
Toxic potency of power
rendering her blind
whilst escaping
her prison clock tower
.
Leaving behind
her ability to see
true power was always
her empathy
She suffered too much
and it bore the blame
as she offloaded
her victim shame
Draining her precious energy
ever desperate for marriage
to boundaries
.
Confused and weary
She stumbled and fell
unable to keep giving
to those committing
abusive crimes
time after time.
After time,
after time.
Telling herself always
the lie of it’s fine
tock to tick
.
From broken spirit
she dreamed of new lands
and carved her sword
with shaky bare hands
A gift of steel
from the devil’s deal
Nothing asked in return
“Just go, have fun”
tick to tock
“The metal provides eternal
Freedom from the clock”
.
How she wanted to believe
this one who tricks
and deceives
But what comes free
should raise alarm
Especially from a being
who feeds on harm
tock to tick
But in desperation to escape
she gladly smiled
and took the blade
.
Now exactly like the other
Uncaring
and obsessed with power
Quick to swipe
Instead of reaching
For understanding, love
or higher teaching
Oh what a leader
She could have been
If not for the poison
drowning her bloodstream
.
No one to blame
It’s just the way
A game the devil loves to play
Unconscious minds
easy prey
And so the pendulum
continues to swing
Poison created from Victim
tick to tock, tock to tick
It’s how the world
became so sick
About the Creator
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
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Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
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Comments (41)
I forgot how much I loved this poem! Definitely worth a reread. It’s like slam poetry. So good💛
This is absolutely outstanding. I have read it several times and felt the lines so deeply, as if they were written about sections of my life. The pendulum was so powerful in its repetition– just totally solidifying the message. What a gorgeous piece of truth you created here! Thank you! ✨💫💞
Brilliantly crafted, witty, passionate, and honest!
This is fantastic and last line is powerful. Congrats on the TS.
This is excellent. Your use of language and style is so well done!
I love the picture you chose for this, it's what made me click and read (and I'm very glad I did)
Beautifully done. Really enjoyed this.
Yay! Congrats on Top Story!
Wowser! This is incredible, Kayleigh! Well done and congrats on Top Story...that last line is so perfect!
check my stories uh will love it
So powerful. I love love love the last line. “It’s how the world became so sick” I couldn’t agree more. Humanity keeps hurting each other and intern keeps creating broken pendulum people. You did SOOOO good
Congratulations ❤️
This is so insightful, good work, congratulations.
Keep up the Good Work! Congratulations ♥️
Wow. WOW. This is absolutely amazing Kayleigh. The subtitle is so powerful and does a great job describing an astounding poem. This line especially connected with me. “Parry becomes plunge” well done on top story, so well deserved 💛
Deep insights here on perpetuating cycles of abuse and pain. I really like the line, "Prey becomes hunter / red cape to wolf." This reminds me of a quote from U2, "You become a monster / So the monster will not break you." Well done.
Wow
Nice......
Beautiful 😍
Hey Kayleigh, congrats on your top story and poem! Already read and liked. ☺️👍 🎉
CONGRATS ON TOP STORY! ❤️
So much to unpack! Very powerful!
My goodness I’m floored. What a fantastic piece! Congrats on a well deserved top story
This was a great piece. I am still working on speaking in such an artistic way. I am trying to get better every day though. Congrats on top story!
And CONGRATS ON TOP STORY! ❤️