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Pep Talk

You were supposed to solace your conscience on the page, first. While the intensity was fresh. The wound actively  g a p i n g.

Instead you erupted and squealed to your therapist. You pussy.

When the heat of your own actions comes to burn you, how dare you tuck your tail between your legs and scram for comfort.

Counselors are there to bolster your 'self-esteem'. She would never tell you what a REAL piece of work you are. For even if she knew enough to do so, her job would be at stake; and you are not worth it to her, rest disturbed.

How am I to keep you in check when you oust me as though I am some 'militant intruder' in your mind? As though I 'force you' to do that which you crave but lack the guts? Then blame me for your resulting moral dilemma?

Go ahead. Throw me under.

Sit in her plush chairs, dim the lights, and tell the patterns of her carpet all the ways I victimize you. Feel the relief her scripts are hired to induce.

I'll still be here, waiting.

— Asa B., Jul 04, 2026

About This Poem

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Direction: What did you think of my title?
How was my language use?
How does this theme appeal to you?

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Polished draft

About the Author

Region, Country: Illinois, USA

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Critiques

Anonymous Alexander

Anonymous Alexander

3 days 4 hours ago

I like what this poem…

I like what this poem captures: The inner voice that is clearly masochistic and yet makes some valid points (e.g., that the counselor will not be fully honest with their patients), which is exactly why the person listens to this voice. There is also some creative and compelling use of language, e.g. "tell the patterns of her carpet all the ways I victimize you." The winking emoji feels a bit out of place, though, given the overall register of the poem. I also wonder whether the metaphor of the gaping wound could be more distinctive. A more minor issue is that "suppose" should be "supposed" in the first sentence. 

Asa B.

Asa B.

3 days 2 hours ago

Thank you

I appreciate your advice, and good eye on 'supposed'. Thank you for picking apart areas to improve—it helps me as a writer.

Anonymous Alexander

Anonymous Alexander

2 days 21 hours ago

Glad I could help. Also, I'm…

Glad I could help. Also, I'm wondering whether "actively" in the first stanza is adding much: How is it different for a wound to be "actively" gaping rather than just plain gaping?

Asa B.

Asa B.

1 day 21 hours ago

My reason for the word:

A wound can exist outside of one's awareness, and only with a revelation of its existence is it brought into light. I used the word "actively", because it had just been made aware of, even though it may have been there a long time. And how one responds when they become aware, can either help, or make it worse. In this sense, the wound had been 'activated'. I am still early in receiving feedback on this piece, so it helps to see what might be unclear

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