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The Greatest of Sinners

For the Vocal "I Didn't Say That Out Loud" Challenge

By Amanda StarksPublished 7 months ago 1 min read
Image edited using Canva Pro.

I'll see you when the wrath comes,

marbled in flesh with tales to tell,

for I have earned a ticket to those hellish gates.

For what? Now isn't that the question;

poor, sweet, little ol' me.

The spoilsport of parties,

but always the one to bring the ride.

The cock-block,

but always the one to lend an ear.

The over emotional buzz-kill,

but always the one to keep your secrets.

No, never once have I sinned against flesh

that wasn't mine.

Never have I betrayed another's love

that wasn't my own.

Never have I told a lie to another

that I hadn't already told myself.

But, do you see the catch?

I did not chase after sin through others -

no, I carved it into my own skin;

wantonly, like an animal.

Years of abuse of every kind wrought against me:

emotional, psychological, physical, mental -

all aimed at me like a loaded shotgun.

Drug abuse, torture, aggravated assault, manslaughter by negligence.

The criminal was always me, but the victim

was also me.

So, I'll see you when the wrath comes,

free from the ghosts I never wronged,

ravaged by the marks of the beast within -

the greatest of sinners.

Free Verseslam poetryMental Health

About the Creator

Amanda Starks

Fantasy writer, poet, and hopefully soon-to-be novelist who wants to create safe spaces to talk about mental health. Subscribe to my free newsletter at www.amandastarks.com for updates!

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Reader insights

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  1. Heartfelt and relatable

    The story invoked strong personal emotions

  2. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

  3. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

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Comments (7)

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  • Kenny Penn7 months ago

    Oh, Amanda, I’ve missed your writing. Such a powerful piece for this challenge. The lines about being the criminal and the victim really hit home. ❤️

  • I'd join you in this anti-approbation, but I've never been the greatest at anything. Still, I feel this deeply.

  • Joe Patterson7 months ago

    Very relatable.

  • Ian Read7 months ago

    sending the huggiest of hugs also amazing! :)

  • L.I.E7 months ago

    Wow, the pain of self-blame. Pain that really shouldn't be yours. Such strong emotion, love the rawness of it.

  • Matthew J. Fromm7 months ago

    Heavy heavy. A great entry to the challenge. I can feel the emotion

  • Adolfo Dill7 months ago

    This is some heavy stuff. You really dig into the complex idea of being both victim and perpetrator. It makes you think about how self - harm and self - destruction can be so intertwined.

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