WoPoLi

Proof of Loss: An ALT poem

Proof of Loss

I heard a voice say—
Choose ◊ the path that keeps your hands clean
or the one that keeps you whole.
So I crossed the river without looking back.
The water forgot my name.
⁂
I crossed the river again.
The water remembered.
❧ This is where the promise was kept,
not because it was true,
but because it was spoken.

I said I was fine※
and the room agreed.
※ The lie was practiced, not cruel
¶ I believed silence was mercy.
¶ I learned silence was consent.
Will you keep my name†
long after my body has left.
† not spoken aloud
Trust → exposure → loss⇒ wisdom

¬forgiveness shaped the room,
an outline where peace should be.
I forgave you ↬
The wound curved back into me.
You knew the cost‽
Yet you call this love⸮
I loved you
before I understood.
I almost said your name‥

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From the blog

About the Author: Sarah B. Royal

Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.

Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.

Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.

Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.

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