Split slice slaw saw
The Substance 2024
If I was editing myself like an object
Obsessed with the idea of a perfect
A perfect shot, a perfect scene, a perfectly perfect me
I edited myself to a masterpiece that cancelled out my entire former self
Slowly split into the diaphragm of a broken record
The following Monachopsis that creases my body like sliced, open, raw flesh
Torn to pieces to give birth to a new monster of pure perfection
Your instinct to make indifference the main character inside of me
I can’t stand when someone says they have nothing for anything or anyone
When I’ve lost everything
When I had nothing
When I was lost beyond all recognition
Split and sawed and killed
I still had a harvest of something to give
So I had to swallow your whole grain of anger like it was something of substance as I had swallowed all of my own anger
And swallowed so much hate and anger and death
That your fair use of the word “nothing”
Putrified into a fake word of encouragement
A soft touch of a demanding smile
A false sense of relief under words that held no love. Maybe there never was any love. Just derived derision for my life
My dreams
My soul
My heart
Anger mindful of casting blame on themselves
Scornful splitting of facts, trust and integrity
If I was editing myself for a project
The project would be a space where anyone can stomp on it
And scrap off the little bits
To make themselves into the image of innocence
While the battered are the edge of edited evil
Gray spots left on the screen like pinches of sawed off hubris
No, not hubris what a cliche phrase
More like false hope spreading like a virus.
About the Creator
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Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
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Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
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More stories from Melissa Ingoldsby and writers in Poets and other communities.
The steps to losing a child
Step One: Lose a child. Not what anyone wants to happen and nothing you can do to change it, but you can go through steps to becoming happy again. You can go through steps to loving again. You can go through steps to become a new you because after losing a child you will never be the same person you once were.
By Tabitha Hinkley5 days ago in Fiction
Comments (25)
Congratulations on your top story 🎉🎉🎉
I love how powerful the emotions are. Also, congrats on top story!
This piece is intense. I love how it captures the feeling of constantly being torn down to fit someone else's idea of "perfect." The imagery is raw and painful, like there's no real relief or love, just a constant battle. The way you twist the meaning of "nothing" and "hope" is really powerful. It leaves a lot to think about.
whew! so intense, I took a breath at the end. Congrats on the Top Story! 🎉 I what a line, this is: still had a harvest of something to give
She is the actress of the movie Maid.
What a movie (Cept the ending that was a lil scary) and what a poem. Very nice prose and adaption of the film love it well done
i just recently realised she was the actress from the series Maid
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
... Congratulations sweet friend 💐🎉
Sometimes sad parts make the whole and with them we are perfect. ❤️
Brilliant work Melly Gold! 💕 Congrats on your Top Story!!
Ooof, this hit hard, Melissa. Congratulations on Top Story! This was brilliantly done.
Well done on top story ✍️🏆
wow - this is potent! Excellent work!
Intense and well written. Feel like I’ll need to sit with this a while to catch everything.
Congratulations on Top Story!!!
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story 🎉
Awesome and powerful!!!❤️❤️💕
Oooo, this was intense and raw as always! I love that you made reference to The Subtance. I felt that movie was very slow but intriguing. I was still thinking about it days after I've watched it
It’s raw, real, and hits hard about the emptiness behind chasing the “ideal” version of ourselves. Feels like a battle with the world’s expectations versus staying true to who you are!✨
Oh wow, this was profound. The first 2 lines hit me on such a deep level. Incredibly done! 💌🌟
Damn Melissa this was well done. Gripped me from your opening 2 lines
A fine piece of poetry, Melissa! Well done!
Ooooof this is … hard hitting. Real potent stuff. Amazing as always.
Such an eclectic title. I was immediately intrigued. Great work, Mellisa!