Tonight speak I will

If you pick my personal diary, it's a collection of poetry. In this way my thoughts remain safe from people who cannot understand me.

Tonight speak I will
For all my sisters are dead
And they are calling to me
Tonight speak I will
For I fear no man
The worse that could happen isn't that bad
For if I unite with them
It would be an end but a happy one
But my words shall vouch for the corpses
That keep screaming in dark
And for the walking dead
Soft skin marked by the lashes of belt
Blood stains on bed
Pictures of her scarred breasts
How much frustration you have?
For a man who hates so much
Must have unbearable hate for himself.
The bars of her homes shout for help
Ashamed of themselves
For they are too strong to let her out
They beg for weakness
The system that stands
Is groped by termites
The nature that curses
Is degraded by arrogance
The violence that lashes
Is infuriated by silence
And you and I are partners in crime
Slowly we watch the greenery die
We lament and sob
Then we lose control
And in that moment the castle crumbles down
Tonight I dare to stop your raised hand
I can slash it down if I must
But my hand is ridden by bangles
And with every attack they dig deeper into my wrist
I have bloody hands and bloody lips
But tonight speak I will
For you are a liar
You keep secrets from your soul
I will speak in its ears
Your deeds of gore.
Tonight speak I will
I won't cry
I will throw the Scarf away
Bring my sisters to light
Words shall echo the truths you hide
Tonight I will dance in moonlight.

Author's Note

Please be generous in writing reviews. I would love to listen how this made you feel and I am new here, so I need friends :)

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Abuse to me is worse than murder. It kills the spirit, it ends up having the abused feel blame when it is not their fault.
And for a father to do this? If only the punishment could fit the crime exactly.

"the bars of her homes shout for help"
love how you fit that line into your theme...such exquisite personfication.
j.

[Lia Columbus]

I know such crimes against women exist everywhere but here, people accept it and try to live with. If I can't change my past atleast I can work for the future :)

[Richard🖌]

Hm?

Lia, I cannot speak for anyone else, but for me I will say that the entirety of your words in this powerful Free Verse poem express much in clear, concise, and impacting meaning to an open mind, heart, and soul.
There are so many intricately spoken metaphorical inferences in every line, it would be unjust to single out any particular few over the others, but this stuck in my thoughts and struck my senses quite passionately and deeply:
"Soft skin marked by the lashes of belt
Blood stains on bed
Pictures of her scarred breasts
How much frustration you have?
For a man who hates so much
Must have unbearable hate for himself."

Still, there are sooo many sad truths revealed, threaded throughout each and every line that effectively impress … it is not only your words that grab and hold on, Lia, it is in the manner and intelligence you express and emphasize thought, feeling, emotion, sorrow, and a sort of just bitterness that the compassionate reader cannot possibly miss or blame you for.
You are a staunch soldier for women's salvation from sexually greedy, abusive, thoughtless and ruthless, soul and body-terrorizing men … I've even known of fathers who've callously raped, terrorized, and shattered their own daughters' lives for their own satisfactions.
You've got me so wound-up I could go on almost endlessly … I hope and pray none of this personally applies to You as a victim.

KUDOS to you, Our Fine Lady-Poet, for sharing your amazingly developed character and skills.
Hugs 'n blessings to you, Lia ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Lia Columbus]

This poem is very close to my heart. I am really happy that you liked it. It's indeed a sad piece but true at the same time. Fortunately I hv never encountered sexual abuse around my life.though eve Teasing us consistent ... Here slow poison reigns the most.and that's where all the confusion and conflict begins.
Anyways, thank you Richard.. Fir your beautiful words.

[Richard🖌]

Your pleasure reflects my own. 😌

[...]

Your flow is endless Fontaine of creation. Message here is not happy one gender hate is very destructive. They say at history of humans there was just one war - war on women. I like how you try to make peace with a men . This writing offering something what we need all of us right now . Invitation for peace.

[Lia Columbus]

Yes peace through rebellion..
By not accepting and going the extra mile for being the person you are. It prioritizes individual peace.. Even when it's way is paved by chaos.

[Eilis]

This is a powerful condemnation of abusers. It is only when the abused speak up that the vile behavior can be brought to light, but as you point out, it is a dangerous undertaking. And many never have the chance to speak except through the trauma of their deaths. But sometimes even the death of a victim isn’t enough to shake the community awake.

Your poem demonstrates this well. But also adds a touch of hope with a narrator who refuses to back down and refuses to live in fear. Standing up, rebelling, even under the threat of death is a powerful message sent. I felt this strength as a central part of your message but also the great sadness of pain and loss. We can only hope that communities will stand in solidarity against this type of violence against women. A strong voice in your poem.

[Lia Columbus]

Thanks for using your precious time, here. Your review is as powerful as my poem. You understand it so well.... We'll never be silent again.

[bookishmuggle]

I loved this. It's inspiring and empowering, and it made me angry for all the women who have been made victims by angry men. I really liked the part "How much frustration you have? For a man who hates so much Must have unbearable hate for himself." It's very true, and important for a victim to know that often their abuse has more to do with the abuser rather than with them.

[Lia Columbus]

Yes! According to a study.. Often almost all the abusers ha e been abused in the past. It's a pathetic cycle of pain that's bestowed on generations in the name of customs and traditions... They say'Yaha Aisa hi hota hai'(that's how it's done here) to ask for acceptance. Which seems the easier way, only if we could see it's repercussions...

[bookishmuggle]

That's really interesting and sad at the same time

[barleygirl]

Your poem is powerfully stated. Sometimes I don't like mindless or overdone repetition, but you've used repetition perfectly with the title line & it adds emphasis to your poem. This is partly becuz you use it often at first, then you give us a break from it for a bit, then you bring it back into play. Also this is effective becuz it's just a damn-good line. Sometimes poets repeat blather but this is an impactful thing to repeat & it bears repeating. There are many metaphors here & I honestly am too impatient to ponder them all to the depth that they deserve. Starting with "all my sisters are dead" -- there are so many ways I could go with that. But quite literally, my sisters really ARE dead to me, and this is how some feel about their clan or maybe sisters being female friends or women who are out there forming a sisterhood that's unfathomable, such as the women who love Trump. I mean, just that one line could go many different ways, as far as what it symbolizes. There are many such lines, thru-out your poem & I wonder if you do much heavy thinking as you write, planning out these metaphors, or if it just comes to you randomly & you write it down without realizing how profound these possibilities could be? Just wondering (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Lia Columbus]

Yes, sometimes I think about the metaphors... I thought it while writing 'all my sisters are dead' and St other times, I just scribble what my heart asks me to. Then when I am done. I read it twice or thrice to understand the 'possibilities' as you say and emphasis on what I intend the readers to see... Thank you for your lovely review... Margie

[Robert Trakofler]

Few things are more wretched than abuse in all of its forms! it all stems from weakness and it is also handed down from generation to generation in an inheritance of vile! I am not a stranger to it I have known its touch and what you write is indeed the course of freedom:) we must air the truth of it for all to see and show it for what it is... it is never cast in the image of the victim but rather of the abuser and all of his/her impotence and weakness! showing it to the world for what it is.... this takes away it's power!

[Lia Columbus]

Weakness and strength are so intertwined in some cases.. That one gets so worked up in finding the difference. Often the one who assume the power are not powerful at all! It's just a matter of a moment, one courageous moment. Thank you robert

[Lydia Shutter]

A write of empowerment. Abuse is a crime too many choose to sweep under the rug. The walls know....and the others in the home witness all too much. Such a powerful write. Stunning. Lydi**

[Lia Columbus]

Thank you Lydi**... I wish walls could speak

[Jimmy Yetts]

Difficult to read--though, obviously, infinitely more difficult for someone to have lived.
Self-hatred may well be the cause of most aggression.
In any event, this piece was--at the very least--unsettling.
Heard, I did.

[Lia Columbus]

Abuse always is unsettling. And determination always is hopeful. Thank you for your honest words.

[Chris Shaw]

Such abuse. I hate that so many women are still suffering at the hands of violent men. Often those that they know well. Your lines gave me imagery of those that have perished as well as a determination here by the poet to dance in moonlight. To be heard and to be unafraid. Well penned.

Chris

[Lia Columbus]

Thank you for the appreciation. The main problem is generalization of such abuse. That kills me

[Chris Shaw]

I guess if this is personal to you, it impacts so much harder. I am sorry for that.

[Lia Columbus]

Yes, it is. The thing is that I am still trying to find my way to the moonlight.I know I will. Thank you, You are so kind.

[Chris Shaw]

You are a determined young woman. I have no doubt you will get to the moonlight and be a stronger person for it. Take care.

[Lia Columbus]

Sure, thank you once again