The Music Drowns Out Their Screams

She rolls with the punches,
a tsunami of his rage,
split lipped, and
ill-equipped to make
herself small enough
to hide in his dark shadow.

He guzzles
bravado from a bottle
full throttle, flexing
wrath across
her path, looking to
make his mark on soft
flesh that once yielded
to a gentler touch.

They are caught in
the devil's dance
where loathing and fear
snap to attention with
the crack of each beer.

Reviews

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

The internal rhyme really makes this poem work. This is a hard topic to tackle, but one that all should be aware of. Hitting a woman does not a man make, and it is truly unforgivable in my opinion.

Well penned!

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Linda, and yes violence proves only that the person has no control it is not the measure of a man's prowess.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Sadly, I grew up in this kind of environment and never felt safe in my own house, which was never a home. Among the most horrid of memories are the times when I could hear and see my mother being beaten, while I crouched in the corner crying, in a state of shock, that wouldn't allow the tears to fall. I was always a nervous child because of this. I'll never forget one night when my mother left the house, taking my two sisters with her, and leaving me behind. He told me to get in bed with him and to wake him up when she came back home. I was terrified with fear as his arm, heavy in his drunken stupor, wrapped around my waist. My God! I really hated her for that.

[icelandicblue]

Good God Linda, I am so sorry for you and for that little girl.

[Joiedevivre]

This is a great piece of poetry. Visceral and inspired, very vivid. You have used stark language to create a strong and trenchant effect with appropriate reading throughout. Very well done!

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so very much joidevivre. I appreciate it and I love the word trenchant. ; )

[Joiedevivre]

:) you are super!

[redflutterby]

Frightening but so realistic Anne... You know domestic violence is one of my personal causes. My sister was abused and I've had close friends who lived it as well. That last stanza just says it perfectly!! Amazing write...and also very sad!

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for reading red, sorry you could make that close of a connection to this.

[redflutterby]

Thankfully my sister is divorced now....he wasn't a hitter. More the kind that grabbed and physically restrained. Would rave on and on for hours to prove he was right. She said she would agree just to be able to go to sleep. And he was ultra controlling. Personally I believe he's bi polar..just like his mother. Anyway they divorced and she only has to deal with his occasional "outbursts" all verbal nothing physical. ( they have kids together so some communication is required) . If it was me he'd have disappeared completely a long time ago. Ha...

[Abdul Aziz]

A fearsome write on domestic violence. You spare us the more wince-inducing details but you still write forcefully enough to drive the point home. Alcohol has been the destroyer of many a family.

[icelandicblue]

That is so true, thank you for reading.

[Rosaria_V]

Wow, what an interesting read! Nice

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Rosaria.

[s y e]

This is like drinking as in getting drunk right? Not just the drink on the odd occasion.... Parents who actually get drunk disgust me, I can't help it though. In general drunk people scare the crap outta me. Just the way the act and smell.... YUCK!

I think I might have this wrong. Sorry if I do. A great write though, I loved the wording and flow.

[icelandicblue]

Hey Noodle,

It's about alcohol fueled domestic violence. Good to see you. ; )

[Rika]

Your words are nice, i hate parents who drink, great poem.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for reading.

[Antoñyo]

Disturbing, so it's effective... I never comprehended how...it's just disturbing...
but well-written,

Thanks for sharing 150/100

[icelandicblue]

Thank you I appreciate the comment. You are right the subject is most disturbing. Thanks again for reading and commenting on this piece.

[TL Boehm]

Jeez. This is exactly how it is. I don't know how else to say it other than you took me back to my childhood, watching my parents. WOW.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Tammy,
I appreciate you reading and commenting, especially where you can make such a difficult connection to it.