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Invisible Girl

a villanelle of regret

By Judey Kalchik Published about a month ago 1 min read
Runner-Up in Villanelle of Regret Challenge
Invisible Girl
Photo by Miah Dailey on Unsplash

You see the whole world from the backseat

Don’t draw attention or make a sound

If you behave they give you a treat

-

Keep your clothes clean and neat

(Don’t make me turn this car around)

You see the whole world from the backseat

-

Good girls are polite, stay calm and sweet

Rehearse I Spy, pantomime Lost & Found

If you behave they give you a treat

-

You just couldn’t do it; again you’ll be beat

Curl up small, little snivel-sobbing mound

You see the whole world from the backseat

-

Make a wish, closed eyes! Don’t cheat!

Someday. No rules. You no longer bound

You see the whole world from the backseat

If you behave they give you a treat

Villanelle

About the Creator

Judey Kalchik

It's my time to find and use my voice.

Poetry, short stories, memories, and a lot of things I think and wish I'd known a long time ago.

You can also find me on Medium

And please follow me on Threads, too!

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Comments (10)

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  • Marilyn Glover19 days ago

    I recall those days vividly, Judey. Congratulations on your villanelle win❣

  • Congratulations!🥳 This is heartbreakingly emotive.

  • Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊

  • This is beautifully vivid and sad but so deserving of your win. Congratulations on placing, Judey

  • Aarsh Malik27 days ago

    The imagery of childhood fear and silence is heartbreaking. You capture it with such precision and empathy.

  • Mark Grahamabout a month ago

    What a true poem of childhood no matter male or female, but really at any age.

  • A. J. Schoenfeldabout a month ago

    Oh my heart! You made me feel so much with this poem. I can imagine this sweet little girl trying so hard to be what she's told she must be. I just want to hold her and make it better, take her out for ice cream and listen to her tell me stories for hours, and then let her run around the park until she is so exhausted she falls asleep in the backseat on the way home with a smile on her face and ice cream and grass stains on her clothes. I hope when she finally grew up, she broke free of the silent prison and found her beautiful voice. Wonderful entry Judey! Good luck.

  • Kenny Pennabout a month ago

    Judey, this one is visceral. Sad that this was so common when we were kids, but it still happens today. Great poem

  • Dharrsheena Raja Segarranabout a month ago

    This was so sad and it hit me so hard. Loved your poem!

  • The best writer about a month ago

    Naice

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