Wholly Fractured
A Mikeydred One Week Sad Poem Challenge For All Vocal Creators

the visage of someone broken
"only
someone run down, worn out
through
tired
suffering
or who picks up the burdens they bear
do
to face another day
we
do you look with scornful resentment
learn"
at their downcast, downbeat countenance
some cracks never fully heal or disappear
scars we carry, the trauma we suffer
hurt, pain, internal, infernal
self-affliction, self-destruction
what is done to us and by us
we heal and callous over, but something always
remains
fine lines, grazes and bruising
on the surface, are like icebergs
"wisdom
only a some piece of the puzzle
comes
story or endurance, perseverance
alone
beauty is only skin deep, but
through
suffering" bores holes to our core
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: This is for the incredibly prolific Mike Singleton's A Mikeydred One Week Sad Poem Challenge For All Vocal Creators, which you can find out more about following the link:
We don't know the trauma, sadness, hurt, pain, suffering, experiences, and burdens that people carry, so it's best not to judge people solely on outward appearances.
The poem includes two quotes by Aeschylus
"Only through suffering do we learn"
"Wisdom comes alone through suffering"
*
Here are some other things that happened recently...
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme

Comments (14)
Terrific! Love the message and that last line Paul. 👍
Excellent work, Paul! “fine lines, grazes and bruising on the surface, are like icebergs” is such powerful analogy! There’s often so much more below the surface isn’t there?
Wow, there's a lot of depth in this one. The fragmented style emphasizes the brokenness and healing journey, capturing the struggle and resilience of the human experience. It's like peeling back layers of pain, but also finding wisdom in the process. Raw, powerful, and poignant.
I loved it, Paul, and very cleverly put together, but we have come to expect that from you. Excellent poem
Wow, this poem is so heartfelt! Thanks for sharing this~
Whoaaaa Sir Paul, this was sooo profound! Loved it so much!
This format was so creative! Incredibly done, Paul! 💘🌟
Good message to this. We never know what someone else has dealt with or is dealing with. Love the style of writing too. Very nice and great entry!
fabulous entry...lyric and picture
Excellent words and love the image you found
it is we with no boundaries to empathy who suffer this
Love this, Paul!
If you were to boil this poem down to a single line, ‘we heal and callous over, but something always remains’ would be it. Extraordinary line! A single line poetry challenge would be interesting I think. Great entry, Paul!
How true on both your poems you have shared here. Good job.