Friday, March 08, 2013

it's not you


[For International Woman's Day]

Verbal Abuse


it's not you

it’s not you, please understand

it’s not the way you get roaring drunk
and pass out on the couch in the blue light of the television

it’s not the way you come from the bathroom, adjust your crotch,
and say, “Howdy!” like an insane cowboy in front of my friends

it’s not your poker buddies, the cigar smoke, the money you lose,
or the way you say, “I’ll get the bitch to go for more beer”

it’s not the way you yell and scream and beat the kids,
and tell them that it’s all because i’ve made you mad

it’s not the farting or the burping at the dinner table
on the rare Sunday i invite over mom and dad

it’s not the missed birthdays, horrific Christmases, broken promises,
or the way you dismantle every hope, every dream, every success

it’s not you, it’s me

no, it’s you

but it’s you because of me
 




 

9 comments:

  1. Years ago, I was asked to write a poem for a local women's group's publication. This poem was the result, and when it was published, it created a bit of a furor, both for good and for bad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's difficult to have this kind of conversation with women. There are those who want to talk about being abused (verbally and physically), and there are those who never want to discuss it with anyone. The sad reality is that the abusers usually get to walk away leaving their victims an emotional and physical mess.

      Isn't today International Women's Day?

      Delete
    2. Fortunately, things have changed ... a little. Women are becoming more and more educated about what they must demand from a relationship. Hopefully, in time, the abuse will end, not only as women become more educated, but in how we teach our young men to manage their anger, until, eventually, everyone learns to treat one another with the care and respect they deserve.

      Delete
  2. Too much of that kind of thing..
    Why do women rationalize bad things away..?

    ReplyDelete

  3. You managed to create a rather potently descriptive message within those words ... very well done!!
    I can well imagine the diverse reactions this would have created ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Miss Lynne ... yes, some people always have their own agendas ...

      Delete
  4. I hope you also have met nicer women that this kind! We do exist ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have always thought that strong, independent-minded women are the most beautiful ...

      Delete

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