Among the Rubble
Where only ash and scars can be found
A hot and heavy beginning,
blinded by the flames.
I didn’t feel the intense burn
of our fiery passion.
Torrid days flowed into
steamy nights.
As the weeks turned to months,
our flames dwindled down
to glowing embers,
comfortable and warm
in the soft, flickering light.
But, eventually, without kindling
our embers smouldered.
What remained was just
ash and char,
crumbling in my hands.
I sifted through the rubble,
all I found was a faded memory
of what once was.
A hazy, distant recollection
of better times.
But sometimes,
in the dead of night,
I still feel the
scar tissue
burning.
About the Creator
Sandy Gillman
I’m a mum to a toddler, just trying to get through the day. I like to write about the ups and downs of parenting. I’m not afraid to tell it like it is. I hope you’ll find something here to laugh, relate to, and maybe even learn from.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
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Violence Begets
"Any last words, cowboy?" "None you'd understand, sodbuster." "Funny. That's Marshall Sodbuster to you. But I meant some last nugget that would help us in the adjudication of the myriad offenses counted against you and your gang. I wasn't asking for penitence."
By Adam Diehl4 days ago in Fiction
Comments (14)
😱 Phenomenal writing, Sandy!
It's normal for it to burn down to that comfortable level, but so sad when it dwindles too far and goes out 😔
" . . . our flames dwindled down / to glowing embers, / comfortable and warm . . . " Those lines mean so much to me! Many people fail to realize that this very time is the balance point of a fire, or of a relationship. Without "kindling," based on shared experiences or beliefs or desires, this comfortable moment is when a relationship starts to fade away. Beautifully captured!
I could feel the ash and char in my hands. This is a wonderful poem, Sandy! I can relate to it so much.
Great entry!! Way to go! I have yet to try my hand on this one.
You have captured with relationships with sharp, brilliant imagery!
Threaded with absolute grace and feel. Top notch, Sandy @Sandy Gillman
Gorgeous imagery xxx
Love it. You wrote this so delicately
❤️
Deep
This was so sad. I hope you're okay 🥺 Sending you lots of love and hugs ❤️
Again you immerse us. i felt the progression, the arc from red hot flames of passion to comforting warmth of consistency and familiarity through to the dying embers of a relationship that eventually leaves you scarred! there is poetry and human understanding flowing through you! incredible work!
Sometimes that is all that is left, sometimes good , sometimes not. Excellent poetry