Didn’t make the front page
Another statistic
Just one more fact
A name added on the list
A casualty soon to be forgotten
Yes I do…
I said while soaked in tears
Not for love but fear
Pain kept me enslaved
Fright left me empty
In and out I was broken
A lethal kiss sealed the deal
You in black, I in white
Predator and prey
Gambling with death
Keeping the act until the end
I could have asked for help
I should have said it wasn’t right
I could have walked away
I should have… I could have…
But I was afraid
And blamed myself
Weakness and regrets aren’t the answer
Your rage was my punishment
As I keep saying “I do”
After each punch and kick
I never fought back
Only crawled and cried
Overwhelming shame
Betraying the self
I let you smash my self-esteem
Believing everything you said
Detaching myself from life
Was my only escape
Incapable of asking for help
I determined our fate
Things could have been different
But now is too late
To change our destiny
To get things in place
I shouldn’t have said “I do”
I could have said “I don’t”
I should have… I could have…
But I was afraid
© Gabriela Abalo
When a door closes a window opens: No matter what, there is always a way out – as long as we are alive it is never too late
I dedicate this poem to all the people who in one way or another are being abused. Domestic violence/abuse can take many forms, including emotional, sexual and physical abuse. Men are sometimes abused by their partners, but domestic violence is most often directed toward women or children.
The only way to break the cycle of domestic violence is to take action — and the sooner the better.
- · Talk to someone about the abuse, whether it's a friend, relative, doctor or other close contact.
- · Call a counseling or mental health center. Counseling and support groups for women in abusive relationships are available in most communities. Be cautious of advice to seek couples or marriage counseling. If violence has escalated to the point that you're afraid, counseling isn't adequate.
- · Create a security plan:
o Call a domestic violence hot-line for advice. Make the call at a safe time — when the abuser is not around — or from a friend's house or other safe location.
o Pack an emergency bag that includes items you'll need when you leave, such as extra clothes and keys. Hide it or leave the bag with a friend or neighbor. Keep important personal papers, money and prescription medications handy so that you can take them with you on short notice.
o Know exactly where you'll go and how you'll get there, even if you have to leave in the middle of the night.
If you want to know more on how to ask for help click here
48 comments:
Beautiful. Thank you,
Another statistic. A woman was hit and run at the corner of my work last night. An army of police forensics descended today while we attempt to work in the wake of a murder. Another statistic indeed. She died.
Wow, a very powerful & well written poem!
stunning photo, stunning poem. they both grab. i hope they serve as a reminder for those in need that there is a way out, and it's never too late to take it.
Both poem and dedication were very moving. Thank you.
"A lethal kiss sealed the deal
You in black, I in white"
Powerful poem.
oh man...you nailed it...i deal with a lot of abuse in my job...and it is leaking more and more into my poetry....it breaks my heart daily...great write...excellent one shot!
That is so overwhelmingly sad. Abuse is too common and too accepted. Thank you for sharing this.
Often we don't realise we had the choice to walk away so much sooner until we have reached the limit of our suffering. Thank you for sharing this.
Oh Gabriela this just grips my heart...truly powerful words.
"Could have said I don't."
Sometimes we only want to give the benefit of the doubt...on and on and on when it is no longer deserved.
Great writing.
Such a powerful poem, Gabriela! So heartbreakingly true. Your commentary is right on the mark also.
Thank you for this beautiful as well as important write.
it is so hard to say until you walk in one's shoes. Kudos on raising awareness about the horrors of domestic abuse...great one shot.
I was looking for Advise on breaking up and found this great site www.saveabreakup.com I gotta admit its great and it worked for me and helped me a lot.
What a great depiction of the feelings of an abused woman. I worked with many abused women, and you express their pain in such a realistic and sensitive manner.
Great poem for one shot.
I can't say enough of this...except for now, a deep respect and honor for you in this work...I commend you for doing this (following your blog) ~April
Powerful and true. And completely tragic when women forget they have a choice...and a voice. They feel hopeless and helpless and I hope that they remember they can reach out. Awesome to share the information.
My mother volunteers at a shelter. She comes home in tears many many times.
Thank you for writing this.
very thoughtful and very true..sometimes we never ask for help being afraid of being neglected until we realise its too late and repent..who we have to blame ,us or the society in which we are born?
A tough topic to address, but you did it very beautifully. Shame and fear are strong emotions that make it so very hard for someone to ask for help all too often if they find themselves in such a situation.
Your approach to this topic was very good. A strong poem on a very relevant topic. If only people who have any doubt at all would say "I won't."
Ah, you were treated brutally. Too bad you did not strike back, but I defintely understand the fear. A very poignant poem!
Yes, there is always time.....: until there isn't!
well done.
rel
Invite you to try the prompts at Writer's Island...
My Magpie took me down a similar path today. I saw the open window, the light entering into a darkened space & immediately thought of escaping or taking flight. This in turn reminded me of a real life situation with a client of mine.
Abuse is rife in this world & it is truly unacceptable. Your dedication to those suffering such pain at the hands of another or others is so poignant in it's importance. Well written and such an important message lies there within your words.
Very potent piece. Excellent advice. Thanks for adding this one to Magpie Tales, as well!
this was extremely brave and powerful...violence should never be silenced
violence in a home, happiness does not make...just leave anywhere..somewhere ..many have stories...on this subject...but it is a real subject that needs to be addressed...bkm
Word.
Great message of hope here - as long as there is life there is hope! No one deserves to have to live in fear - that is not love.
There should always be an open door of choices for anyone in this situation.
This is just so heartbreaking. I'm so sorry you have gone through such suffering. Praying that the Father will heal and restore.
too late, too sad...
glad to see your view, yes, women do have a choice..
well played words.
beautiful message all around.
Poignant, powerful, moving...
That's a powerful poem, Gabi. I worked with battered women in the '70s while doing my undergrad and we set up a women's safe house. It always broke my heart when the women wanted to go back home into an abusive situation.
Heartbreaking..cannot imagine the fear that a battered woman lives with.
Truly heartbreaking...compounded by statistics. A timely post!
powerful, a vital voice to be heard...so much pain in this world...thank you for posting this.
What a powerful, beautifully written piece. I love what you posted below it. You never know whose life you might have changed with that. Good Job!!!
Such a powerfully written poem.
This is a FABULOUS write. Nice one shot. Love and Light, Sender
Wonderful poem and much needed advice - Bravissimo!
Hi Gabriela, I stopped from Magpie's site and read this poem first - powerful and moving! I did a post for domestic violence awareness some days ago (October is the month for DVA) - I would love if you stop by to check it out! - this can't be highlighted enough.
http://castazero.blogspot.com/2010/10/never-againdomestic-violence-awareness.html
So sad, so touching....
fortune tellers
Gabriela, this is amazing.. I think even without that ending notes, through ur words itself one could understand the theme! Each word expressed that emotion, of pain and suffering, right from before it actually started till the time has come that it doesn't seem to end!
Powerful lines through the poem, and I admire you for getting it out like this! Brilliant!
Morning Mist - My One Shot
'I should have… I could have…'
heartbreaking!
excellent! your words will help many-c
Thank you so much for sharing this! Having lived through abuse, I am amazed when people have the courage to write about their experiences! I'm very glad I found your blog. I'm inspired to start trying to write some of my history out. There's so much healing in the act of putting it down!
Bless you!
Excellently stated... This post will help so many who will relate to it.
Beautifully done. Powerful! To admit that I should have... I could have... is the first step in breaking the cycle.
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