One Word

[rye]

Uncompromising,
in silent contemplation,
sullen pride laid low,
awaiting explanation,
he had suffered the first blow.

Swiftly apprising
the maelstrom of black anger
gathering strike force,
in calculated danger,
she spoke one word, "Divorce?"

By Realizing
that one dread word slashed
the shell of anger;
the power he had held was smashed.
One word became a dagger.

Negotiating
the assignment of all fault,
she spoke carefully.
There was no need to exult;
it was a smooth victory.

"Can self be bought
by simple repetition
of habit or thought?
Can virtue be caught
in a net of ambition?"

"What was she asking,
whether love is a duty?"
Then he knew her mind.
Suddenly, he was weary;
she thought she was being kind.

Baleful, replying
to every word yet spoken
with silence because
any word was admission
to the defeat of his cause.

With a sigh, rising
from his chair, he paused briefly,
searching for some word
to be his final decree.
When he closed the door, she heard.

[the stranger]

One Word - sigh....

Is this Goth poetry?

Who is this for? what is it about? What is the point?

TS

[Jack Cloverfield]

Not sure about the line breaks. Or the rhyme/ half rhymes going on. Some are hit and miss. Overall, the theme seems lost for the sake of rhyme on occasion, whatever that theme may be .
I was lost in places and with that came distraction and inevitable loss of interest. Could use a good tidy up, cut words that are less neccessary, either have the rhymes or don't and pull it together in more solid stanzas so emphasis is not drifting so much. Also, you have punctuation but keep all the first words capped?

hope this helps

Jack

[rye]

Honest reactions..good questions
Jack...I agree....The caps were overwhelming the lines. I changed it within the piece because it is not a revision, per se
Each stanza division is one thought, all the stanzas together are one scene.
Stranger..I hadn't considered; "Goth." I thought more akin to Milton. "Goth" was a startling and amusing comment.
Thanks for reading and commenting. "appreciate it.

[the stranger]

Rye,

Ignore my brisk approach, there has been an influx of twats lately, you are obviously not one.

Keep posting, I'm sure you'll find the feedback mostly exemplary and highly useful.

cheers
TS