Your poetry is so strong that it speaks directly to the reader. I see three votes and no comments ,like I said before it is difficult for me and perhaps others to comment. But it is powerful and unique and speaks directly to our hearts. Hopefully it gets the nomination it deserves. I am always excited to see you writing ...good stuff Karla :)

Agreed, this poem is very strong in it's wording. It is difficult to comment on but I will try. It seems to me that you are contemplating life here. You are looking at yourself in a reflection and wondering what happened. It is getting more difficult to wake up. You are ashamed of your heart because it hurts and you do not want it to feel anything. Even love, because it has disappeared from your life. There is so much more you could have said but didn't and now you regret that. Is it too late? No never but struggle is real. It's difficult to overcome something when you feel lonely. I love how you can get your feelings out in such a way that leaves you wanting more. Great write.

So your close your eyes slowly

- you have a double "your" here, I assume you mean "so you close your eyes slowly"

The imagery in the first stanza of this poem is so vivid, with the reflection in that glass, and I got that picture of the character curling up in the foetus type position, clutching their heart. I also like how you use the closing of the eyes to be able to feel your body again. I picture a window here, with rain on the outside of it?

This line:

and a thousand words you should have said
dissolve your skin....

I love this line and it has such a huge impact on the poem by really emphasising that regret, that holding onto the past and things you wish you had said. Very powerful line!

I feel this poem is so gifted with the way you explain your thoughts, and how life has been for you. Your confidence in yourself is low, and this reflection shows that, you cannot even bring yourself to accept the reflection, or own it. The word distorted really fitted in with my imagery of the window and rain, almost smudging your reflection.

I can relate to this poem and feel quite connected to it, thanks for sharing.

I completely agree with Lostlove1 with the comment about your poetry being strong. You have a distinct voice in each poem and this is no exception.

I really like how you made a connection with the reader, and with the parallelism of "from your fury, from your fears, from your pain" - something anyone from any part of the world can relate to.

These lines spoke to me as well:
"you don't need life. it is life that needs you."

- Something darker in this thought. Like you are not holding on as tight anymore, but life keeps intertwining and forcing you to face this, this reality. The ending lines are also powerful and make me think of those moments we may be disgusted at ourselves for our choices, or we don't have clarity, our lives are twisted and distorted from what we imagined.

Congrats on the win, Karla!

Wonderful introspection in this poem!

Honestly I too find it hard to comment when a write like this has such strong and emotional waves to it. It has something even more deeper then what the reader can comprehend thus to leave a weak comment will be unjust!

As always Karla, your poetry has a way to be so captivating and realistic that your voice could be heard.

Congratulations on the win!

Great choice of word- "Fractured soul."
Your poem is very moving.
Great work, a masterpiece!

Cheers,
Ray