Silence is the only answer she gets

“Why me?”

She asks her mother

Hoping, wanting, craving

A loving reply.

Mother looks at her,

Eyes filled with shame

And says,

“It must have been your fault.”

---

“Why me?”

She asks her father,

Thinking that he, at least,

Would understand her pain.

He turns away,

Can’t bear to look at her

As he says,

“It must have been your fault.”

---

“Why me?”

She asks her friends,

The ones who had promised

To be there for her, always.

They avert their eyes,

They won’t speak to her,

Not even to say

“It must have been your fault.”

---

Victim to a heinous crime,

Stripped of her clothes, her dignity,

She walks alone in a crowded world

Where they all say,

“It must have been your fault.”

“Why me?”

She asks herself.

Silence….is the only answer she gets.

Reviews

[Meg]

This is a gorgeous poem, touching on the kind of victim blaming that is seen all throughout your society. Now, this is just a suggestion, and feel free to completely ignore it, but just consider, instead of her hearing silence, to tell herself that it was her fault. That would just be an interesting way to show the guilt and shame that some 'victims' face. But really, it's still a close to perfect poem

[Ragini]

Thanks for the praise and also for the suggestion. I really appreciate honest reviews. Although, I'd prefer not to change the poem, 'cause i want to keep it original. But, yeah, that ending would have been great! :)

[Ana B]

Amazing. Portrays the silence, the ostracisation, the sidelining the 'victims' face. Good job there..

[Ragini]

Thank you. :D

[SonOfaSailor]

I love this and the imagery that comes along with it. The format is really well done too!

We are in a society full of victim blaming :( So much so that it has passed over from the opinions of the ignorant into our laws... It's disturbing. Just know that you are not alone! Another victim would understand your struggle the most and the rare compassionate soul.

[Ragini]

Thanks. :) Happy that you liked it. :)

[Moonlight]

Hey! That poem is very beautifully written. It just brings the right sort of emotion in my heart... simple and straight forward. It describes the betrayed and lonely feelings of the girls who face these situations in our society.

[Ragini]

Thanks!! :)

[Kurl Urban]

What a question but more importantly what a set of people, it makes one wonder have I allowed someone to ask me such and do my best to avoid the conversation? Your poem serves well and a beautiful rendition of doing some inner searching and ask how would I deal with such.

[Ragini]

Hmm. Well, thanks a lot. :)

[Sanjh]

Your poem is a slap on the face of our society. Here a victim is considered the criminal, and bull s**t reasons are given to support it from the people we expect would understand. May be we will change someday...
It's very thought provoking and well written.
Thank you for sharing a master piece...:)

[Ragini]

Thanks for your review. :)

[Ragini]

It is indeed a shame that our society today, does not understand this.

[Sanjh]

You are welcome...:)

[Sanjh]

True, very true. The people who have power to change the society are themselves so narrow minded.

[Madison]

Wow, my mouth hung open. It was beautifully written. Keep writing!

[Ragini]

Thank you so much. :)

[Anuradha Verma]

Hee! You're finally here! :D
Anyway, formal review:
I like the honesty of this piece. It's simplistic in its telling, yet says so much. It showcases the brutality of society perfectly. Keep writing! I look forward to more of your works! :)

[Ragini]

Haha! yeah, i'm finally here! And thanks for your feedback! :D