Monday, May 23, 2011

Centus: Reflection

She wakes up late,
as usual,
unwilling to face the light
of another day.
Consciousness creeps close,
bringing with it
those terrorizing thoughts,
that threaten slumber’s false serenity.
Her eyes slowly open
to the harsh reality
of the horror
that her life has become.
She stumbles towards
her inevitable release,
the daily purge 
of emotional pain,
down the porcelain throne.
She pauses at the sink,
finally taking that hard, honest appraisal
of what her life has become.
The reflection in the mirror says it all.
Falling to her knees in prayer, she cries out,
“God, I can’t do this alone!” 


(100 words, prompt in bold green)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jenny Matlock

12 comments:

Lynn said...

Wow, that IS a harsh reality.

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

That's a disorder that is hard to understand. I've been told it is an issue with control, which is a broad category and leads to a range of anomalous behaviors. It's so violent. That a person who wouldn't otherwise hurt a fly could make such an assault on themselves and those who love them is terrifying and heartbreaking.

Willoughby said...

Emotional and real. And unfortunately, a daily reality for too many young woman.

Susan Anderson said...

Powerful and all too believable.

Well done.

=)

Unknown said...

Ms. Jenny's prompt brought back memories of when I was in my 20's and was suffering from anorexia/bulimia. The reflected image in the mirror was so terribly important to my but so totally skewed from reality. I recalled the moment of clarity when I saw myself as I truly was. It was a turning point in my life and when I began my life long journey towards healing and wholeness.

Unknown said...

fabulous take on the phrase. So many feel just like this yet so few take the steps to change it. Change is hard but good things don't always come easy:-)

Dazee Dreamer said...

Oh my. That was really sad. But very, very good

Brian Miller said...

ugh this is a harsh reality for many...often hope is found at the end of our rope...

Amanda said...

This brought back some memories too. Very moving and a great reminder of why I'm doing what I do, thank you.

jabblog said...

Gripping poem - you've really captured the horror.

Ames said...

Wow you gave me a very good mental image in just a few words. I am glad she sought help from the one who could really help her. ~Ames

Jenny said...

Polly! Wow, this was powerful and painful and visual.

Really, really wonderful writing. You made us all feel with this dark use of the prompt.

Your writing is always astonishing.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails