Sterilize

by Hannah Lizette   Jul 19, 2014


She stood lost
in the moment,
scorching water
spilling over her
colorless skin.

Ink slumps down
her cheeks and brands
the words she has
held in secrecy;
every limb hisses
"follow me"
and shares the
story of betrayal.

The little prisoner
inside her soul
pleads for her
to stay just a
little longer -

numb skin
equals a
numb mind.

Sighing,
she steps out into
a towel of remorse
and slowly smears
her apologies across
the mirror,

praying that
after she saves
the world from
self-destruction,
she will finally
feel sterilized.

------
Prompts:

lost in the moment
the little prisoner
secrecy
after she saves the world
follow me

------

Copyright 2014: Hannah K.

1


Did You Like This Poem?

Latest Comments

  • 9 years ago

    by The Poet Behind The Poems

    This was a stunning piece you created so much imagrey

    Your writing is always full of new little pleasures for me I can never wait to see whst you do next.

    Really beautifully penned

    Xxx

  • 9 years ago

    by Poet on the Piano

    Wow, Hannah, I love how you created such depth from the prompts. You created a story and my heart went out to this woman and the pain that's so tangible. Now, the whole meaning behind the title is more clear, and it's a bit depressing. At first, I was thinking of a woman unable to have children or even one who is contemplating an abortion since she feels there is no other way out... I don't know why the "scorching water" made me think of that. The atmosphere is haunting, such as the limbs hissing "follow me", as if directing this woman to something she may regret, or an act of self-hatred/ self-loathing. I like how you document her journey from those doubts to the little will inside of her to stay in the world, to being remorseful... that ending is striking, but also makes me think what saving the world from self-destruction would be? That if she numbs herself, atones for things she's done, then she'll feel more able to participate in the world? I thought at first she doesn't harm herself, but saving the world from self-destruction could be she doesn't want the world as a whole to feel this way; it is only her that feels she has to pay? If that makes any sense...

    Emotional write, well-done with the prompts.

More Poems By Hannah Lizette