No More!

(about abuse)

it was dark in the alley

they were fighting again

she tore off her shirt

put up her fists

and said "Come on, fight me like a man?"

 

he broke out into a laugh

he was suppose to be

her better half

but he showed himself a coward

as she finally stood up to him

 

he had beat and bruised her

too many times

she had lost track

no more

she won't take his abuse anymore

 

he followed her into the house

she turned around to face him

and put up her fists

ready to defend herself once again

he stood there with his hands in his pockets

 

he had beat her and bruised her

too many times

she lost track

no more

she won't take his abuse anymore

 

 

Reviews

[Dani California]

That's where the strength to leave begins.. in that moment of "I've had enough!". Abuse is so disabling, not only physically but mentally. Many people don't understand this and often say things like "why doesn't she just leave?!" (or he in some cases). I'm quite sure, if that were a viable option in the victim's mind, they would. Much like an abused child doesn't tell anyone they are being abused -- they're controlled -- fear. It paralyzes. Low self esteem, the slow killing of one's spirit... the list goes on and on!

And in some, there is that wonderful moment of fighting back and breaking free... I'm talking mentally. Which is what is transpiring here in your poem. Mental freedom... ! Such a tormented and sick world we live in sometimes. It's nice when things go right.

Great poem!

[Lisa McDougal]

That was a powerful piece. I really like you taking a stance against abuse. The ending kinda frizzled for me, but what more can you say? Good, job

[Cardinal Robin]

This is apt and clear for what may be the more common side of abuse Man vs Woman.
I worked in Protective Custody as a Psych Assistant and discovered that not on female in general population (regular inmate) had not had 1. a history of physical and sexual abuse. 2. substance abuse 3. current relations with abuser 4. 2 or 3 years of prostitution to support their drug habit. 5. multiple experiences of rape and sodomy while UI. If a Female Inmate told me her "story" I would say, "that's everyone in the joint, what makes it specifically problematic for you NOW, at this point in your life.
Women rolled in the isles (40 inmates to be exact) and peed themselves laughing when I, a middle class young Man, said, "there are men out there who you can date, and they will not lay a hand to you"...I didn't get why they thought it so funny at first...then one inmate said, "No he's right!" and six women looked as though they would "shank" her immediately...She then drove two nails in my coffin and said, "sure my Old Man slaps me around 'a little', but that's only when he's drunk"...strangely, no one on this "side of the fence" had had my version of life experience. Many of these women would think a man did not love them unless he put them in their place on a regular, aka weekly, basis with their fists and wrathful anger.
We can learn from a very young age that love can have ugly faces too, but it has to be learned...it is not in our nature to love with hatred/fear.
Thanks for this difficult topic and the courage to portray it's sickening pointlessness; wherefore in WAR is LOVE or VICTORY?

[Suelou]

You know, I found that if you stand up to them, they aren't as quick to attack you. But then there are those few, who do become more enraged. I do hope you aren't living with this.

[wizthom]

to face ones beast is to face reality ,looks like dreams won out..wizthom

[Gema]

Very powerful again.
Again brillant write powerful angry and showing your past problems through poetry.
Love the way you write so freely and hoestly not ashamed but proud to have escaped =)
Well done =)

[Mysty Rayn]

I think this is such a great topic to write about. Thank you for putting it out there for all of us and doing so well with it.

[[untitled]]

all bullies lose their power over their victims when they turn. and i have to agree that only cowards hit women, maybe that southern discipline i have been cultured in. simple and strong work that hides no intent but uplifts it for the whole to examine. great work!

[Cece]

one word "Enough"
so much i understand
from the movie
with Jennifer Lopez

i understand why
my father had his
daughter learn so much
of martial arts

even now cousins
stand back in play
cause they had got
a demo of what i can do

even my cousin's bf
wont abuse her
cause he remembers
his broken nose

[LadyLove]

Geez! You go girl! No woman needs a man like that! Great how you put up your dukes there. Sadly, many women know they can't dare because they know they'd be hit back if they did. But this needs to be brought up and you did. I hope the next step was he left. The best end of all! Blessings!