the other man .

I see him. him. him. and he wears your skin but he isn't you. you. you.

and when my heart

ached, I looked for you.

when my soul cried,

I searched for you.

as my body rotted,

and my heart broke,

as the bruises formed

arms

legs

head.

I wanted you.

you.

you.

So why is this you

here?

I need you.

you.

you?

So who is he?

Author's Note

A poem I wrote after getting out of a relationship which was a little abusive, how it felt that when he hit me, he was a different man then I knew.

Reviews

[Orphic Dreamer]

I can visibly feel the raw emotions in every word. A great piece!

[maya_online]

thank you so much for your review

[Amy R]

Love should never be abusive even in the smallest ways. But sometimes we often care
and love people that is secretly like this, which is sad, and cruel to a good heart,
but one day it'd get better, trust me, the "light" will be someone totally new and worthy.
I hope you find peace and always REMEMBER to take CARE OF YOURSELF FIRST.🤗🙏🏻
-Amy

[maya_online]

Hi Amy! Thank you for your review, and make sure to always love yourself too! I've found peace now, being able to write about It makes it easier!

[Amy R]

You're welcome. That's good you found it.. That's my motto for years now, "self love"🌸

[Twilight]

Interesting. After such a relationship, it can probably leave an empty void; which needs to be filled. This piece starts with a statement, that the writer is seeking a replacement, and instinctively looks " for you"; even though that very same guy has gone for sure. In your mind, you know this underneath; but you're kind of trapped into a pattern of being practically owned and subservient to the one you lost? Therefore, your heart and feelings yearn for what your mind knows to be out of the picture? In places, you have mentioned physical scars; and clearly suggested that this guy wasn't who you thought? Thankyou for sharing.

[maya_online]

Looking for a replacement is more like looking for someone who is just like him, therefore falling for the man which inhibited his body it seemed made sense to go right back to him, even though he only could hurt me? Also, I've heard so much about you! It's really lovely to meet you, thank you for your review!

[Twilight]

That's OK. It makes sense, how you kind of yearn again for what you know has a dark side to it; concealed beneath what was outwardly impossible for you to resist..? Hopefully, you feel a bit better than you did; and gradually moving on.

[maya_online]

Moving on is a beautiful concept, obviously I'll always remember, but inevitably, I think I'll be okay, not looking for a replacement anymore, yk? Now I'm simply looking for love, even though it sounds corny

[Twilight]

Well, maybe you have realised that it's going to be better longer term; to find stability in love with a man.? For your mental health too, I guess? Hopefully, it will work out - when both your heart & mind pick wisely in unison? Going just by the mind or heart, can make a bad choice more likely..? Just a thought.

[maya_online]

I'll take your words into consideration, I only think with my heart, so the next time I choose to really love a man, maybe using my head would work too

[Twilight]

Aha. Sounds like you know, underneath. That sounds like the basis, for some good progress in time. Indeed, understand yourself is 🗝️ key. Latish here, UK time. I find you interesting to talk with, Maya. I promise to get around to reading any messages from you, or further comments (tomorrow).

[maya_online]

I'd love to talk more with you, talk to you soon (tomorrow lol).

[Twilight]

Yes. That would be good, Maya.

[emmajoygreen]

A tragedy of words written so coherently. Methinks your courage still includes your once love in those feelings hiding in the memories of his abuse. Is thought that the people you love or care about most of all, can hurt you deeper than anyone else. That said, maya, please, please try to find Light - it's there

[maya_online]

Thank you, I'll love him because I'll simply always love him.

[emmajoygreen]

Yes, that happens when it really matters. Take care of you.. too.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

your notes really changed how i read this poem. at first it read like a typical poem about longing and loneliness, and like that it is quite expressive. but knowing the context this poem was ritten, it sounds more like emotional-dependence. and i know women IRL who are like that. and i hate to preach but,

Maya, that's not 'a little abusive.' if he hit you that is abuse.

[maya_online]

Ern, thank you for your words. He was suffering with a lot, which doesn't give him an excuse, but it does give me an explanation, if that makes sense. I loved him, because of that writing a poem about his other "side" was kind of a way of letting him go? Thank you, regardless, I love your comments as always !

[cain_notfound]

I love how you repeated phrases that you meant, as if to show how your repeating over and over to him, asking him for love again. I'm sorry you ever had to go through this, maya, but you grew as a person, making poetry like this. My favorite stanza might be the "arms, legs, head" one, it shows how you framing this the same way you did the "you's" its like you're showing how it happened over and over.

I know you mentioned how your so used to writing long poems, but you're getting so much better at writing shorter ones, conveying feeling through form.

[maya_online]

we might actually be alike, you're great at getting every little message I hide when I write, thank you Cain!