Woman with Shadows

Katie B.

Woman with Shadows

 

She talked incessantly

But little was said 

Nora, I abided her

The feel of the room

Was stuffy, calcitrant

Heavy hors d’oeuvres

Served to a class of

Women who watched

Their waist like their

Superfluous bank accounts

I found myself anxious

At the chatter and stifling

Pretense

Why was I invited?

I wasn’t society

I was a cabin passenger

I was treated lukewarm

I snatched my purse

Without warning

And acknowledged no one

Taking an exit my head

Held high as if filled

With helium

I was more than a

Shadow of a woman

I was a woman with shadows

 

  • Author: Katie B. (Offline Offline)
  • Published: January 8th, 2026 09:43
  • Comment from author about the poem: A woman uncomfortable in an engagement with high society women.
  • Category: Short story
  • Views: 35
  • Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange, Rachel Poole, Soman Ragavan
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Comments +

Comments6

  • Tristan Robert Lange

    I know that moment of realizing you don’t belong to the theater you’re standing in. Choosing to leave without apology feels like reclaiming breath. I've done it myself. This captures that clarity. Well done, Katie! 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦‍⬛

    • Katie B.

      Thank you so much for your welcome feedback!

      • Tristan Robert Lange

        You are most welcome, Katie.

      • sorenbarrett

        A great description of how most of us are treated in most situations and how we feel. Hold the head high and make the same party excuse that any of them would have made leaving as if there was something more important to be attended to. Lovely

        • Katie B.

          Thank you so very kindly for your feedback. It is always appreciated!

          • sorenbarrett

            You are most welcome Katie

          • Rachel Poole

            I absolutely adore your writing! I can feel every word, especially at the end!
            "I was more than a
            Shadow of a woman
            I was a woman with shadows"

            • Katie B.

              Rachel you have made my day!!! That is such a huge compliment coming from you. I felt iffy about this piece. Thank you so much for reading it and I'm glad you enjoyed it. How long have you been writing?

              • Rachel Poole

                I feel iffy about every piece I write but I have found this experience very therapeutic! You are an extremely talented writer due to the mere fact that you make me feel many emotions while reading your work.

                I have been journaling since I was young but the last couple of years have been very challenging, so writing has given me some reprieve. How about yourself?

                • Katie B.

                  Pretty much the same story. Started writing when I was young and have been writing intensely for the past two to three years. I love it. It is my passion and my therapy. Hoping your challenges subside soon. I'm glad you feel the poems, that is my goal.

                • orchidee

                  One said, boasting: 'Do you know who I am?' I replied 'Nope, so you can't be very famous; who are ya?! lol.

                • Goldfinch60

                  That sort of thing can happen Katie if the women (or men) look down on us.

                  Andy

                • Soman Ragavan

                  This is human nature, by and large. One thing we cannot tolerate is an attack on our ego. If we feel unwanted, the right thing to do is to walk out, just as you did. They cared not for your presence : let them feel the empty seat you left...



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