Roses are red
Like the ones you gave me
When we first met.
Like the ones you used to give me
On all my birthdays.
Like the ones you gave me
When you proposed
Like the ones in the garlands
We exchanged on our wedding.
Red as ruby,
Bold and memorable
Like the marks
That cover my skin
When you took out
Your rage on me
Do your remember?
The rage that made you see red.
Red as roses,
But not so sweet.
I was blinded
By my love.
I never realised
That it had turned toxic.
You promised me roses
But you turned out
To be a thorn.
The one that kept hurting me
Again and again.
Over and over again.
As I searched in vain
For the roses
That didn’t seem to exist anymore
It took me a while
But I decided
To put an end
To my suffering
At last.
I deserved better
And you will never change.
Together,
We will only be a disaster.
That night,
I remembered that
Roses can be white too
Pure and innocent,
White as my face
As I finally
Break my shackles,
Cold, scared, and trembling
I sneak out
In the dead of the night
Leaving behind
You and our life together
Nothing but painful memories.
Yearning for healing,
And a chance at new beginnings.
Author’s Note:
The poem is a work of fiction. While I’m glad that it’s not my story, unfortunately it may be a reality for many. My heart breaks at the thought of all the souls who might have suffered due to this lockdown. Unable to get away, confined for days and weeks together, suffering in silence. 💔
Domestic abuse is a silent killer. While others might see a blissful life, many may be unaware of what happens behind closed doors. I across a prompt about red roses and decided to write about a darker side of love.
I’m currently laid down with a horrible migraine. Please accept my apologies for not responding to your comments. I’ll get around to that when I’m feeling better.
Image courtesy: Manfred Richter from Pixabay
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© 2020 Shweta Suresh. All rights reserved.
instead of showing a red rose it shows a black rose, a beautiful post……As always but something different and refreshing….Loved this one and I hope your migraine gets better soon. Tc and get well soon🖤❤️💕🤞
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It doesn’t show a red rose. That was intentional. Thank you so much. I’m much better now.
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Got it, red roses can have many meanings but in this case I meant red roses signify all rainbows and shit and black roses signify the brutual shit some have to go through…. But now I understood what you meant
Btw please tc and have lots of rest, migraine can be very bad.
I am glad u r better now but tc and don’t give yourself a lot of load.
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Ohh yes. There are so many colours of roses and each one means a different thing! 😃
Yes. Thank you so much for all the love and concern. I’ve been lying low for two days and I’m almost as good as new. It can be very bad indeed. I’m no strange to migraine attacks. ☹️
Yes, I’m taking it slow. 😄 Thank you so much. That’s so sweet of you. ♥️
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Break free! Don’t take shit from people for anything at all.
You got migraine too?? Welcome to the club.
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Exactly. But sometimes it’s easier said than done.
I’ve been a victim of migraine for several years! You too?
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Yes. Me too. 😂
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I hope that it doesn’t trouble you that often!
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It did this morning. I could barely see.
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Uh oh. I hope you’re feeling better now. Take care. Stay off the phone till you feel better!
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I’ve been sleeping too much this quarantine. Maybe it’s because of that.
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Messing up our sleeping schedule can induce migraines. That’s what happened to me too. I started reporting for duty this week. I had to make a change in my sleeping time. And migraine attacked me with all that it got!
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Working from home? Or going to workplace?
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Going to workplace. That too, in the morning shift. It wasn’t easy at first. But after a week, I have got used to it.
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Wtf? IT employee??
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Nope. Core Defence PSU that goes by the name of Bharat Electronics Limited or BEL. Feel free to Google. 😂
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I know BEL. We have BHEL, DRDO, etc. in our city too. Government employee eh??
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Yes. And most of them are working. Since May 5th especially.
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Which city are you working in? Bangalore?
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Yes
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And yes, quasi-government employee. 😄
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Haha! I have a friend working in BDL like that.
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Ohh they might be working too. WFH really isn’t feasible for us.
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That I’m aware of.
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People in containment zones are allowed to remain in their homes. So there should be no risks. How’s your migraine?
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I’m fine now. How’re you??
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Happy to hear that. I’m much better. A bit sad that the weekend’s almost over but perfectly alright otherwise. 😂
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Hahah back to work tomorrow??
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Yep 😔😔😔
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Let’s cheer you up then 😁
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What do you have in mind? 😛
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I was about to ask you for suggestions. How can I help? 😬
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Haha. Write something. Or share the link to one of your favourite posts. 😃
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Seriously?? That’s it???
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Ohh what else did you have in mind? 😂😛
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What makes you laugh?
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Ohh I had not replied to this! But maybe I’d replied in another post, I guess.
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Ugh! You!!
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Ohh and btw here’s something dark. This post!
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This isn’t dark. 🤓
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A bit. I think you might like some of my older posts. Let me go and search. I’ll be back with the links. 😂
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I liked the storytelling aspect of this post. Domestic abuse is a serious issue that I still find hard to comprehend in its size and spread. Thank you for sharing
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It’s a hard pill to digest indeed. But unfortunately, it happens to many. Thank you so much for reading.
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This does presents a picture of love gone wrong. Beautiful poem. Hope you feel better soon.
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Thank you, Sadje. I’m much better now.
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Take care 🙏
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I will. Thank you, dear.
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❤️💖
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Hope you feel better. Thank you for bringing the violence to the light.
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Thank you so much. I’m much better.
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First, I’m glad it’s fiction, not your life; 2nd, I’m so sorry you’ve got another migraine–sending up prayers for your healing. I was in an abusive marriage, left just before 3rd anniversary since there was nothing happy to celebrate. I agree with you–I can’t imagine how women and children are faring during lockdowns, unable to escape. God help them!
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I’m sorry to heard that, Rhen. But I’m glad that it’s in the past and that you are in s much better place right now. I’m lucky indeed. My life is far from this poem. Thank you for your prayers and concern. I’m much better now.
I can’t imagine how they are surviving either. May they have the strength to get through this. Thank you so much for you kind words.
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You are welcome, Shweta–I’m glad you’re feeling better. Headaches are a real pain! 🙂
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They are indeed!
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❤
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Amazingly written.
We only see the one side of this red rose, but there is a dark side for some people.
You have beautifully described their story.
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Yes, indeed. Thank you so much, Richa!
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This work of fiction was painful to read. Wonderfully written!!
And the migraines are just as painful. Hope you get better soon l.
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Unfortunately it’s a reality for many. I’m feeling better now. Thank you, Harsh.
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Well crafted!!!
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Thank you 😊
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This is a well written poem. My heart too goes out to such helpless women and children.
Hope you feel better soon.
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Thank you so much, dear. I’m feeling much better.
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Most of them turn out to be a thorn. Very nicely written.
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Oh yes. Many turn out to be so. Thank you so much, dear. ♥️
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I like how you’ve used the prompt to write such a meaningful and topical post! Hope you’re feeling better already!
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Thank you so much. Yes, I’m feeling much better now.
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Take care dear Shweta and my husband too suffers from acute migraines too. Loved your poem and who would not like a Rose and it is associated from a very long time with all of us. Lovely poem.
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I’m much better now, Kamalji. Thank you so much for the warm wishes. I’m sorry to hear that he suffers from the same. I was in pain for nearly three days. But I’m much better and pain-free now. And I’m so glad that it’s over. Thank you so much! ♥️
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Yes it is a great relief from migraines. He is suffering from years but what can you do nothing. Try taking an acidity medicine cause his doctor told him and then at times he is okay. Welcome Shweta. Stay well.
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I have tried that but it didn’t work out this time. 😦
I have nominated you for an award, Kamalji. Please consider it as a token of my appreciation. 🙂
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Thank you so much dear Shweta for your nomination and will definitely consider it as a token of appreciation. Keep up the good work of inspiring all of us with your stories ❤️❤️❤️❤️
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I will. Thank you so much for your kind words. ❤️
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Welcome Shweta 😊😊😊. How is the headache now
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It’s gone. I’m feeling much better, dear. Thank you for asking. 😃
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Great 🙏🙏🙏. Shweta just asking dear could you download my poetry book. Pl don’t feel bad for asking
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Oh sure I would love to. Can you provide me with the link? 😃
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There is no link if you have Amazon Kindle as an app you can go and type Poet’s Touch by Kamal Roohani u will find the book and then can download it. Thanks
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Ohh yes! I do have a Kindle. I’ll definitely download, read it and let you know. ♥️
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Thank you so much dear Shweta. Kindly let me know once you download the book. A small amount of Rs.209 is what they will tell you to pay and you will like reading my poems they are simple and nice to the touch.
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Sure, Kamalji ♥️
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❤️❤️❤️❤️
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Beautifully presented Shweta!!
This is a topic which I strongly feel about. Domestic violence is still prevalent in our “modern society”. Most people choose to silently accept it, while some gather the courage to speak up. But what happens when you speak up? I saw this movie called “Thappad” which talks about this very topic. Everyone tells the victim that it’s okay, it happens, what’s a big deal in just one slap? I loved this movie!! It challenges you to ask questions on some society norms…
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Yes, I have heard a lot about that movie too. Sadly, we tend to normalize it a lot. Domestic violence is not okay. Nobody has to put up with it. But sadly, many don’t, can’t or won’t speak up because they don’t have a support system. Thank you so much.
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True…I hope they get strength and courage to speak up, to fight back.
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Yes. I hope so too!
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This is a poignant read. Domestic abuse comes in many ways and it is on the rise in these unfortunate times, unfortunately. Many women who have suffered from it will relate well to what you’ve written. Great work Shweta!
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Yes, either it’s rising sharply or more victims are coming forward with their stories. Or even more frighteningly, both of these are happening. I hope that they find a way out. Thank you so much, Di. ♥️
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Yes, either it’s rising sharply, or more victims are coming forward and speaking up. Or even more frighteningly, both of these are happening. I hope that they find a way out. Thank you so much, Di. ❤️
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I love this! Your writing is truly beautiful. It is terribly sad that so many women face abusive relationships. Hopefully this post will reach someone who truly needs to hear it. Keep writing! ❤️
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I hope so too. I wish that nobody has to go through such a torture for their entire lives. Thank you so much for your kind words, Alexis!
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Poetry was beautiful..even without the footnote or the disclaimer!!!
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Thank you so much! I’, so happy to hear that. 🙂
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This is very deep and well thought, Shweta. 🥀
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Thank you so much, Shreya! ❤️🤗
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This poem was written beautifully even though it covered sadness. Thanks for the post.
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Thank you so much. I’m glad you liked it 😁
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Well penned giving a deep insight into our society
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This was a very sad poem
Abuse of any kind is horrible. Difficult topic
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Yes. It is. I had recently read a book about abuse and the poem was inspired by that. Also, I wanted to go a different way with the prompt – red roses.
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