Poison

© Natalie Dunning 2017. Cover by me. 100-word story.

Everyone knows that flames don't cast a shadow

I guess that's why I can't find myself anymore

Because I'm engulfed in your fiery destruction

You took what was once me

And morphed it into a mold

Of your own sick pleasure

And desire

Something that was definitely not me

Was I not enough?

My mother always said

I would be loved by those who matter

But why is it that

You matter so much to me

But you don't truly love me?

I hate to love you

You're the poison in my veins

But somehow

I can't live without it.

Reviews

[alanwgraham]

There are so many poems about this topic here because love is blind and we lose touch with what is real. Your poem will connect with many because so many of us have trodden the same path (myself included). I thought your analogy with a flames shadow was great.
By the way - you can live without it!
Regards,
Alan

[poetgurl]

such an emotional write here,
nicely presented

[Wondering Mind]

antagonistically in love, but not loving...almost like a cursed addiction of sorts.
love has more than 50 shades But you know that already.

[Onyia-Ali, Kingsley Chu..]

I really love the metaphor in the third last line line. And the irony it carries towards the end. Well crafted, Natalie.

[AlexofElsewhere]

The flame analogy at the beginning gave me chills. Thanks for sharing.

[Alao Taiwo]

i love the start. "flames..." you got angry and said "I hate to love you". i was hoping you'll get angrier but then you said "i can't live without it"...perhaps you are indeed loving and made of pure love. thank you

[Tyla]

Beautiful poem. I like poems where the narrator questions their own irrational behavior but still continues down the same path rather than make the "right" choice, because that's actually how we live our real lives!

[RxQueen]

I love this. Relates. Thanks you for your poem!

[KCthelastboyscout]

With or without you.this story will never end.well written. A very descriptive statement

[James Messervy]

Wow. This is very authentic and resonant. Thank you for sharing. I've been lucky enough not to have experienced what you describe and yet this poem still evokes feeling.