Yes, I too have struggled against monster defeat as have most people, but I have grown much strong in the fight ...

I'm really enjoying your writings

There is nothing as resilient as the human spirit and defeat truly has no enduring influence on how our story ends. Brilliantly penned Kate from your soul.

At first reading, I thought that defeat does sometimes have a hand in how the story ends--maybe in cases of suicide; but then I reread it and realized how correct you are... defeat has no enduring influence on exactly how the story ends, because what we perceive as the end in most situations is really just another beginning. In that regard, defeat will never win! Yes, it may change things... but it certainly doesn't end things. :)
Cryssa

I don't think I have ever felt "defeated" in my life. I'm too optimistic to have felt defeated. If we stay being positive, we would be able to tackle the problems. Moments of defeat are actually "challenges" for us to solve the problems the best way we know how, and that is a good learning process to never be defeated!

However, I do enjoy your poem. There are some thoughtful insights and the poem is obviously well-thought out; but then again you have always written some very good poetry.

I like this!

Sandie :o)

Your truths and insights contain so much about this mortal life in so few words, and leaves one thinking of the solutions in between the lines, for me that is love and courage. Profound poetry beautiful Kate xo

We all are defeated in the end… by death. What your poem tells us, is that it is not how the story ends. That's why I'm writing mine one story at a time.

Thanks for making me use my thinking cap.

Ron

"Defeat," comparing it to pieces of life...

Always,

Deborah

potently descriptive ... defeat is for those who've forgotten how to fight and for those while in the midst of struggling just give up or rationalize its about its worthiness ... to many defeat occurs as soon as they are born ... to others when they die ...

But it gives us the courage to rise high ...a Phoenix from the ashes...and try again...and again..
Diana...

I thought you were going to talk about how defeat hurt after a long day walking but this one was OK too......
Love Ya,

Walt

Defeat is only a stage... actually a catalyst; a learning experience. Always, I am loving your personifications and the breath of life that you give to your writing. -- Jeff

I like what Andy said about the word spelled backwards, must be a British word...LOL...I've known defeat as it has been quite a big part of my life...but still I am alive & TRYING to fight the good fight as best I can...Find Peace, Young Lady, -e-

D-E-F-E-A-T...mantra bestowed in the strength of numbers...that's an amplification to illustrate a teaching point in poetry form or Biblical text...

"on just how the story ends."

Love your influence that acquaintance has always had on me, Kate. Blessed Be.

Sage

...one person de-feat is in the....other's
me me me me mind....

Blighter. Indeed we lost 1-0 to Swansea, but why rub it in.
Though always remember that defeat spelt backwards is taefed.

I love how you rise like clotted cream to the top in the last phrases. Of course I had to look up the etymology of defeat, thinking that if there's a "De", anything, there most be a positive meaning to the other half of the word... Here's where I wish I had me a set of Oxford English dictionaries. I was thoroughly dis-satisfied with the googled answers. Therefore, I will make up my own. Better yet, I'll adopt your perfectly satisfactory definition of the whole.
Feat=the end of the story.. Defeat=it's not the end yet. --Charlie

I was particularly pleased with the last stanza where you cleverly wordsmithed hope into the undeniable malaise that suffocates many. Well done, as always. You are truly seizing the days again. To this poet, your work is looked forward to and truly appreciated.

You know, I don't believe I have ever felt defeat in my life. Eh . . . Maybe that is because I have never set my standards very high. Yes, I have been down and out many times, especially during those two lost decades of mine, but even down and out I never felt defeat enter my subconscious. I always fought the good fight and climbed out of whatever predicament I happened to be in. Even now, in my later years (seventy-six last month) when many people this age begin to feel a taste of a life lived in defeat. Not me, my sun may be sinking, my life nearly over, but I am still vibrant as I write my poems and live my life without dwelling on anything which smells like defeat.

You summed it up perfectly. DEFEAT