An old poem rests on the shelf pages are yellow skin
A peeled part of my self, dust covered faded words folded in
Forgotten and incomplete, left open an ending to heal
A wound that still bleeds through bone, raw pain that I feel
Oozing infection's rot spreads to the rest of my written soul
Through thin skin, black spots of cobweb letters scroll
Each touch filled with surging rage, a stage of festering cancer
To heal a page of yellow age, amputation the only answer
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Author:
sorenbarrett (
Online) - Published: February 8th, 2026 02:50
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 152
- Users favorite of this poem: Mutley Ravishes, Thomas W Case, Paul Bell, Tristan Robert Lange, Friendship, soheil khodaparasti, aDarkerMind, Teddy.15, Joseph M Marion, William Hromada
- In collections: Poetry/art.
Online)
Comments17
You gone all musty and dusty?! lol.
Just a bunch of rot Orchi. Thanks so much for the read and comment my friend it is appreciated.
Ahh, something for KP then - a bunch of rot. What are the ingredients?! lol.
Anything decomposing will do, even a fermented brew.
Now, that`s letting go!
Thank you Mutley for your read and comment it is deeply appreciated
great write, much enjoyed
Thank you Norman for the read and comment it is as always most appreciated
most welcome
This one cuts like self-surgery—writing as infection, memory as something that won’t stop bleeding.
Brutal honesty, no romance in the pain, just the hard truth that sometimes healing means losing a piece.
I thank you Thomas I knew that if anyone would get this one it would be you. It is most appreciated
As the surgeon says, I've cut it away, but you'll still feel it's there.
I've had a verse I wrote about twenty years ago, and I really like it, but I just can't find any other words to finish it.
Thank you Paul for your read and understanding of this piece. So many amputated lines that somehow either don't fit, are too short to survive on their own, and rot in the discard pile. I deeply appreciate your comment my friend
Writting can only translate an incomplete core...
Thanks so much Lorenz I appreciate the read and yes indeed incomplete are many
A harrowing piece, Soren. The language turns memory into anatomy, and the question of whether to heal or amputate feels painfully real. There’s courage in naming that choice so plainly. Strong work, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Thank you Tristan for the read and interpretation is is always most appreciated
Most welcome, Soren!
Well written. Your poem explores the theme of unresolved trauma and pain, likening it to an old wound that remains unhealed. The poet reflects on the burden of this emotional or psychological wound, suggesting that it is deeply ingrained and continues to affect their identity and creativity. Yet it seems the poet's relationship with their past, particularly a painful experience that is metaphorically described as a wound. The imagery of an old poem, yellowed pages, and the metaphor of infection suggest a deep-seated struggle with memory and emotion. Yet your poem seeks to articulate the experience of living with emotional wounds and the complex process of healing, emphasizing the challenges of confronting and expressing pain through art. The notion of “amputation” as a painful but necessary solution highlights the difficulty of letting go of the past to heal.
Thanks so much for the review Friendship and also for your interpretation. It is most appreciated. I think most any artist has had a project that it difficult to finish that somehow the end is not immediately available and is put on the shelf or worked on year after year. Leonardo himself worked on the Mona Lisa for years. You are most right sometimes we amputate to resolve
Nicely rendering an autopsy of memory and an unfinished past.
Thank you so much Soheil for the read and comment it is deeply appreciated
You are most welcome.
loved every line Soren...
superbly written.
Thanks so much Melvin I appreciate your review and most kind words they are most important to me
A very insightful poem Soren. Great one to come back to! Often the hardest part of moving on is letting go and strangely it seems to hurt more than the wound itself. Great description, I hope you’re able to let go of what’s grieving you friend.
Thank you Allie for your review and most kind words or encouragement and support. I appreciate your reading it.
You’re very welcome Soren.
But even in amputation the memories will still be there soren.
Andy
Thanks so much Andy for reading and for your remark. Yes phantom limb syndrome is a common thing where even in the absence of a limb it can be felt most often in pain. Your words are most appreciated my friend.
A poem is never finished perhaps. 🌹 Fabulous poetry my dear sorrenbarret 🌹
Thanks Teddy I appreciate your support and understanding. Yes poems are miniature lives and some have no adequate end.
I love the metaphors I love what you're saying and not many people would understand but there's always a son to every darkness a new beginning to every end you write very well I love reading what you write thank you so much
You are too kind my friend and your charity is most appreciated. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement
Don't mistake what I'm saying is charity it is not You are a good writer I love what you're writing Don't stop what you're doing great job
Thank you
Elegantly raw, "a wound that still bleeds." Painful but hopeful that there is and will be "an ending to heal."
Thanks so much for the review and comment it is hard to explain how much it means to read your words of encouragement. So many poems that have no endings on the shelf
a yellowed poem spreading through words.an honest excavation
Thank you Aman for the read and comment it is deeply appreciated
Pain and misery waiting for healing with it not in sight!
Thanks so much William I very much appreciate your review and comment
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