So much this. I also appreciated the “iron slap of dread” - the fear being scarier (heavier) than any harm

This poem was very unnerving for me. It's like I was waiting for a jump scare at the end, and I think in some ways the question functions that way, turning it back on the reader, or at least hinting at the horror the speaker alludes to but never outright says. 

There's also something about that imagery of them rolling over in bed, how in most circumstances that would be seen as mundane or even sad, since lovers are parting, but in this case it offers the speaker refuge, since she (and I assume the speaker is a she for some reason) no longer has to lay with her abuser. I was craving more of that imagery, of ruffled sheets and worn out pillows and the smells and stains and feels of the whole experience.

thank you so much ❤️ it takes a lot for me too

I’ve never read a more beautiful piece on domestic violence. I can absolutely relate and grateful I got justice. Thank you for writing this. It takes a lot to put any of it in words, at least for me.

They said, "there's nothing you can do to make me happy."

This was a great read. I especially loved the last half, it really hit home.  I love this medium so much because you can portray so much in only a few lines.  Keep up the great writing!

"alone every morning when you felt their side of the bed" This was a great poem and very relatable to me. Great imagery. I have felt these things myself.

A tense poem that pulled me in quickly with the dashes ending the two first questions (I like that you didn't use question marks). I'm intrigued by the title especially. Are the 1296 days referring to the number of days spent anticipating nights next to the person who means them harm? Or the number of days "after," perhaps?

Nice! the first stanza grabbed me immediately.

This is a good one, thank you so much for posting!

This poem was really great with the imagery, not only that, but it made me feel. The words really express the feelings of fear expressed.


Hello readers, welcome to OCpoetry. This subreddit is a writing workshop community -- a place where poets of all skill levels can share, enjoy, and talk about each other's poetry. Every person who's shared, including the OP above, has given some feedback (those are the links in the post) and hopes to receive some in return (from you, the readers).

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I love the dread that this poem gives me but personally this poem is hard to read with how chopped up the sentences are. It feels like I need to pause after every line and that takes away a little bit from the atmosphere of the poem. But I may just be reading it wrong

Somebody said "unnerving" and it's a good word for this one! Added some melodies to it: https://soundcloud.com/user-907418533-377333511/1296-days-by-uthrowawayayyyyyyy

have you ever slept— 

curled up, every night—

next to someone you knew

meant you harm?

&amp;#x200B;

did you swallow down

the iron slap of your dread—

alone, every morning—

when you felt 

their side of the bed shift?

&amp;#x200B;

and did you ever work up the nerve

to tell them

they were making you afraid?

&amp;#x200B;

after, 

what did they say

to you?

&amp;#x200B;

*what did they do?*

&amp;#x200B;

[https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/wyc0nn/comment/ilzkgxy/?utm\_source=share&amp;utm\_medium=web2x&amp;context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/wyc0nn/comment/ilzkgxy/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web2x&amp;context=3)

[https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/wyke0q/comment/ilzk688/?utm\_source=share&amp;utm\_medium=web2x&amp;context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/wyke0q/comment/ilzk688/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web2x&amp;context=3)