The Tortured Princess Department

"I Love You, It's Ruining My Life"

A poetic story inspired by Taylor Swift's

The Tortured Poets Department/The Anthology

Suggested Track List via TTPD:

1. So Long, London

2. The Black Dog

3. I Hate It Here

4. Guilty As Sin?

5. But Daddy I Love Him

6. Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)

7. ...Peter

8. Clara Bow

9. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart

10. How Did It End?

11. The Albatross

12. Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?

13. The Prophecy

Epilogue:

14. The Manuscript 

And the story goes:

It begins in heartache, and her saying goodbye, to a life that once seemed so bright.  A love she compared to a galaxy: a sky dusted with glittering light. 

But that light flickered, then fizzled with doubt; left her empty and scarred in the end. 

She took a moment to comprehend. 

And then…

Out of nothing but habit, one restless night, she casually touches her phone. It discloses his  whereabouts, an old local haunt, and it's clear he’s moving on.

Boredom sets in 'til a new journey begins, with someone she’s encountered before.  It starts in her mind with guilt over scheming, through daydreams and metaphors.  

Soon her thoughts shift from romance to reverie, and she drifts into a garden instead.  She recalls moments of youth and wanders aimlessly through palaces that appear in her head. 

As fate would have it, her musings manifest, as she unites with the new love of her life; though she is met with cruel words of disdain and judgment, and protests that pierce like a knife. 

She fought for her man, but in the end they were right, for it ended in lovers bane.  The boy broke her heart, shook her world and their parting...nearly drove her insane!

Just a fortnight of bliss was all she recalled, as she processed the torment full through. He promised her growth, he’d rise to the occasion, alas that little boy never grew. 

A woman of passion, she burned it to ashes and decided to refocus, start anew. She honed her talents, and won their attention, saying “wait, I look like who?”

With this new found fame, telling stories through song, it was nothing but straight to the top. Dazzling lights and big sweeping smiles hid evidence that she was distraught. 

While doing her best to cover it up to the mantra “just doing my job.” Came a crippling truth she wasn’t prepared for, the pressure of a cold hearted mob.  

“Why and where and how did it end?” they all demanded to know.  For they saw a professional entertainer, and thus, they all expected a show. 

She knew not the answer, and declined to say much, so they made her the villain instead. Exploiting her lovers for profit, they concluded, makes it clear she’s just using them. 

This turn of events was jarring, it stung, and opened old wounds of hurt. Volatility, the witch hunt, the pitchforks, and lies left her good name tainted, besmirched. 

Then something unexpected occurred. 

The compounding of all of her trials by fire only caused this phoenix to smirk.

"It’s me they’re afraid of? She mused to herself, well fine then, perhaps they should be! 

Yes, let them be scared, besides they never cared, let them fester whilst sipping their tea. 

Meanwhile I’ll compile a bargain and implore that the fates change my prophecy.  I heard once before, though I can't be sure, doesn't tragedy come in threes?

And while I wait to discover, learn and uncover the path of my new destiny, I'll tell of my tale in a manuscript, perhaps maybe then they will see.  

Then I’ll go peacefully.  

And while they read freely these pieces of me.  

I will just be free." 

And now, it's your story.

***

It's still taking me some time to process this musical adventure Taylor bestowed upon us in full, but I have been on a whirlwind of creative energy! Taylor encouraged her fans to take her story and and make it our own, and that's exactly what I've had fun doing.

I hope you enjoy this little work of fiction! A very spur of the moment exercise, and a "folklorification" of my favorite Tortured Poets tracks if you will! Feel free to listen to these tracks first, or keep them in mind in the order listed while reading through the poem.

Disclaimer to the critics: I am NOT a poet and this is way out of my comfort zone but didn't Taylor set the tone for this whole era by essentially saying f*k it?

Of course, it's super Taylor coded: the story of a woman who leaves a long term relationship when she realizes it's not going anywhere. She bravely takes another stab at love only to realize it was all a mistake, and she finds herself not only heartbroken once more, but also the subject of public scrutiny. This almost drives her crazy--quite literally! Until time gives her space to reflect and writing her stories into songs saves her.

Deciding to focus on her career in place of love, our heroine channels her passion and makes her broken heart become art. Her classic Hollywood beauty and talent together shoot her into superstardom quickly. But as fast as she rises, she finds herself falling--once again picked apart by judgmental naysayers who make her out to be the bad guy.

She starts to wonder: "Is it they who tarnish everything I love? Or am I just fated to know great love for men and success only to know it's down fall as well. Can I break this curse? Who knows...but at least I can share my story and try to move on."

And in a moment of stillness in the aftermath of chaos, she I'd like to think she does.

We all have a story to tell, and sometimes it's messy, wild and unclear at first. And that's okay. I hope Taylor has found some peace in sharing her art with us through TTPD, and I'm grateful to have new music to inspire me in my own creative pursuits.

Yours,

PJ