Cry works on a lot of different levels here--both as crying out, and well, just crying--I think people have to speak out before they realize how common the situation it is, and that they could leave it. Thanks. K.
Very emotional... the helplessness of the situation, the feeling that you don't deserve better. I hope this speaks to someone's pain. Glad you added the number.
Thanks, Gail, for posting the phone number. I have mixed feelings about the crying. No spouse should make the other one cry, ever. Mostly it is the woman who cries. I have. ..
Wow. As one who has walked in the way of the abused, I am touched. With all the knowledge out there today, perhaps it would be different, but back then people didn't want to help...to get involved. After a full night of being terrorized (in a quadplex, everybody heard it), when he left the next morning in my car, I went upstairs to the only neighbor who was home, and she refused to come to the door. I only wanted to use her phone to call for someone to come get me (I didn't have a phone). And she was a nursing student! I was pregnant at the time, and guess who was in the delivery room with me? You guessed it. Miss Suzanne Mayfield. I'll never forget her.
I work with women who experience partner violence and I love that you included 'bruised spirits' and 'hidden damage' as often this is an insidious part of partner violence that can make it difficult for women to find shelter and support if they do not have any external or visible 'evidence' of abuse. Thank you!
May 21, 2015 at 12:35 AM
Cry!
Cry all!
Raise your voices
Cry!
Show us your injuries
Your broken bones
Your bruised spirits
Cry!
Show us your falls
your broken hands
your hidden damage
Cry!
So the world might hear
Cry!
So we may listen
and help end this
tragedy with you
For Imaginary Garden With Real Toads
[Image]
The prompt was not restrictive so I wrote what came.
I think the repetition of Cry is a wake up bell.
I am not a victim of domestic violence but know many who are and have been.
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
17 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formYes, this crying bell works well. Nice work.
May 17, 2015 at 11:03 AM
Great post and poem, the victims must cry out. And the tragedies must end..Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your day!
May 17, 2015 at 11:22 AM
amen sister
May 17, 2015 at 11:32 AM
This is so melancholic.. yet a beautiful message has been passed on through the lines.. which remain embedded in our hearts!
Beautifully penned!
Lots of love,
Sanaa
May 17, 2015 at 12:57 PM
Cry works on a lot of different levels here--both as crying out, and well, just crying--I think people have to speak out before they realize how common the situation it is, and that they could leave it. Thanks. K.
May 17, 2015 at 2:35 PM
Very emotional... the helplessness of the situation, the feeling that you don't deserve better. I hope this speaks to someone's pain. Glad you added the number.
May 17, 2015 at 2:54 PM
Thank you, Sanaa Rizvi, Outlawyer and Debi Swim.
I hope it reaches someone and they know they aren't alone. Help is within reach.
May 17, 2015 at 3:16 PM
Like Nick Cave and the bad seeds.
May 17, 2015 at 4:15 PM
Thanks, Gail, for posting the phone number. I have mixed feelings about the crying. No spouse should make the other one cry, ever.
Mostly it is the woman who cries. I have.
..
May 17, 2015 at 10:26 PM
It's powerful! I hear the 'Cry!' as an exhortation to call out loudly rather than keep silent.
May 18, 2015 at 3:00 AM
Crying is moving to salvation, I guess. How I wish more women took the cry to the streets, to the churches, to PTA.
May 18, 2015 at 11:10 AM
It worked very well:-)
ZQ
May 18, 2015 at 1:29 PM
Well done Gail, your poem was good ... and domestic violence happens in all countries.
But there are good people on the end of phone lines that can and do help many.
All the best Jan
May 18, 2015 at 3:50 PM
Wow. As one who has walked in the way of the abused, I am touched. With all the knowledge out there today, perhaps it would be different, but back then people didn't want to help...to get involved. After a full night of being terrorized (in a quadplex, everybody heard it), when he left the next morning in my car, I went upstairs to the only neighbor who was home, and she refused to come to the door. I only wanted to use her phone to call for someone to come get me (I didn't have a phone). And she was a nursing student! I was pregnant at the time, and guess who was in the delivery room with me? You guessed it. Miss Suzanne Mayfield. I'll never forget her.
May 19, 2015 at 8:41 AM
I hear you!
May 20, 2015 at 9:40 AM
YES . . . excellent Gail . . .
May 20, 2015 at 4:41 PM
I work with women who experience partner violence and I love that you included 'bruised spirits' and 'hidden damage' as often this is an insidious part of partner violence that can make it difficult for women to find shelter and support if they do not have any external or visible 'evidence' of abuse. Thank you!
May 21, 2015 at 12:35 AM