You cannot be woman and weak
Those are two things that together
Spell your undoing
-
So I must
Look like the innocent flower
Petals softened and curled
Beneath the touch of a fingertip
But be the serpent underneath
Neck reared back and teeth hiding
To sink into trusting flesh
-
Few masks exist that I can wear
And all of them are pink
Full of Scorpions is my mind
Stingers taut and ready
-
But, even so,
What’s done cannot be undone
But the blood hasn’t even dried
And my fingers are itching
To scratch a new surface
-
The divots in my arm are red,
raised, and angry
Fair is foul and foul is fair
Words mean nothing in this upside down
Where blood is guilt-shaped
And sleep is denied
-
I can feel the bumps
Climb up my arm and I know
Something wicked this way comes.
I catch my reflection in the mirror
-
Hell may be murky
But blood will have blood
And the daggers are in my own smile
About the Creator
Emily McGuff
Author of Crystalline (self-published on Amazon)
Lover of lyrics and poetry.
Obsessed with sci-fi and fantasy.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
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More stories from Emily McGuff and writers in Poets and other communities.
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I met Jason when I was five years old. I could say that I loved him from the moment I saw him. He was so handsome to me and I felt in awe by his presence. When they introduced him as the new kid in school, I wanted to be his friend right away. I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember his smile and how he didn't seem shy. He appeared confident and ready to learn. I waved at him and said "hello," before anyone else could even say a word. He sat next to me, and I asked him if he wanted to be friends. He looked so happy as he said, "Yes!"
By Sidney Smith (Sid Smith)7 days ago in Fiction
Comments (10)
I like the modern approach here, very creative. Congratulations on placing 🥳
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Congrats on your runner up placement🎉🎉
Very intriguing poem very vivid. Great writing.
Would like to read another book
That last line was a lingering hook. The double meaning it holds. Worth millions. Perfect.
Emily, this piece captures the essence of Lady Macbeth’s unraveling mind with powerful precision. Your modern voice gives new life to her torment, merging poetic rhythm with emotional intensity beautifully.
Fantastic
"Where blood is guilt shaped, and sleep is denied" Love that line and this piece. It puts in perspective that Lady M. can be seen as a symbol of the guilt and shame we all experience as women, of our darker parts, and how we must be viewed as innocent flowers, unlike men, who seem to get a free pass.
Fabulous Job. Your descriptions were vivid and emotional. I love the inclusion of all the lines from Macbeth. Well done and best of luck in the challenge. I think this has a great chance of winning.