You may not be rid of me
But I am rid of you.
I have walked and walked,
changed direction,
doubled back,
returned to where I started
still your shadow lurks in my mind.
You tried so hard to be rid of me,
locked me out,
cast me with swine.
poisoned the minds of those
you should have nurtured.
Now I have broken from your grasp
but like a hand from the grave
you continuously reach out
ready to grapple
with just not my body but my very soul.
I will try once again
as I believe in destiny
and mine is not with you,
despite that hand wanting to drag me down
into the hell you occupy.
for you may not be rid of me
but I am rid of you.
Note: I did set out to write in keeping with PJ’s song, but destiny ruled otherwise.
The image is deliberately deceptive.
Morpethroad 
Powerful and intense! Obsessive love is so draining and destructive, wonderfully done!
Thank you so much, I did realise afterwards that the feeling of determination within the song I did try and convey if not quite the same way as PJ.
I think you conveyed it perfectly and in a way true to you which is the best way
Thank you that is very generous.
Argh… it is so draining, being in that position. Must revisit my PJ Harvey collection….
Thank you Freya it’s how my words came out in response to the song. Thank you again for the comment.
Michael this is wonderful the 3rd stanza and last main verse are powerful – thank you.
Thank you Jenny, I was always going to put the hand from the grave in there somewhere.
Succeeded my friend.
Very well written…powerful. When writing with a song as a prompt, you should write what feelings come to mind or your own inspirations. The artists words have already been written in the song. You did what was your feelings.
Thank you Anya, that’s how the words came for me.
Wonderful! Such a strong statement of independence and resolve, with a backdrop of sinister overtones from the ‘other’. Loved it!! 🙂 🙂
Thank you Helen, glad you enjoyed this one. My past comes in so handy some times.
A strong start right from the top.
It may not be an easy thing to do. But – when a relationship is toxic – gotta’ get rid of it before it consumes your soul. Being born in a toxic family can be a tough one though.
Thanks RoSy I appreciate your comment, thankfully all ended well.
Good to hear.
Have a nice week! 🙂
Thanks RoSy, you too.
Strong and empowering. Excellent piece! 🙂
Thanks Cubby you are very kind.
Such a tough position. Anytime someone has to keep unwelcome ties to an unwelcome relationship there will never be a total break. Constant attention to that resolution that you describe must be the driving focus when forced together. I love the terseness in “I am rid of you.”
Thanks Miss gimpet, yes there is a bit more than tersness in my version of ‘rid of you’.