Beautiful Broken Woman – The Damage Done
She speaks of the past often
Rarely smiles
Reminiscing about times when things were better
Her young face
No longer youthful
Showing lines from worry
And much more
Pain in her voice
An uncomfortable silence her steady companion
Words are only words
Her best days are behind her
It’s as if she’s given up
Surrendered her future
Hopeless
Defensive posture
Most observers miss the way she carries herself
Eyes darting
Head down
Finding the exit in every room
Fight or flight response on high alert
Escape
Secrets locked away
A deep vault in the dark recesses of her mind
Where angels fear to tread
Hurting memories
Waiting in limbo
Ready to pounce again and again
Dark fires burning
Sabotaging her future
Her emotional fire reduced to a mere spark
Blames everyone
Everything
Melancholy and so much more
The knife edge her permanent residence
Balanced…for now
Vulnerability
Advanced to damaged
Martyr to the cause of perpetual discomfort
Broken wings
Her angelic spirit grounded
Seeking repair
Yet fearful of the mechanic
Discovery
Identity of the betrayer a mystery
Manipulation, abuse, emotional distress
Jealousy imagined
Rage
Sharing space with effrontery
Hindering everything
The burden of insecurities
Her song no longer heard
Light dim
She flinches at the unexpected touch
Heavy hands from her past
Haunting her present
Future held hostage
Tears
So many tears have fallen
Out of pain, worry, and lack of understanding
She cannot see the path anymore
A crossroad brought her here
Or so she thinks
Clouded memories
Her delicate heart still beats
Weak but not stopping
Beautifully broken
Searching for stronger arms
Someone who can carry her baggage
Repair her faith
Restore her self
Wounds can heal
Those inside take much longer
Secrets lose their power once they’re spoken
A shoulder to shed tears upon
Being held for love instead of as a prisoner
An investment in time
Priceless
She waits with trepidation
Risking more pain
The light of day beckons her to step outside
Take a chance on life once again
Love will find her
Or so they say
Perhaps that day is today…
- When We Lost Control - October 13, 2025
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- Sorrow - October 9, 2025
Nicely portrayed in some detail Ralph, and sadly there are many people broken and carrying the remnants of a difficult past. Well penned and offering that hope of love that can transform and heal. great work.
Lovingly expressed and poignant verse, Ralph. Tony said it well in that to offer the “hope of love that can transform and heal.” Great work.
I will tell you Ralph I thoroughly enjoyed this piece . The one line that I appreciated the most, was the one about secrets losing power after they have been spoken…actually that whole stanza was fascinating to me. Very well written piece Ralph. Nice work.~Paul
Thanks Paul – this piece wasn’t something I planned or even though about; it just came to me one day and the words appeared on the page.