This blog is about domestic violence & its impact on the workplace as well as related topics.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Three Poems: One Survivor
An amazing woman wrote these three poems in the process of surviving and healing from domestic violence. I am honored to share her incredible journey here.
Poem 1: 'What It Means To Be A Victim
I am the beast
Which you have lain upon the alter
An offering to an angry God
I am the one
Chosen for purity's sake
Whose throat will be slit
As my blood spills out
Ask yourself
Have you come closer to God?
Is God now happy?
As my blood runs down the street
Ask yourself
Can we now find peace?
Or must we come back to this alter?
Again and again
I am the one
That sacrificial beast
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Poem 2: 'What It means To be A Survivor'
I have outlived
I have outlasted
I have remained alive
I am still here
As the waters recede
As the flames diminish
As the tremors subside
I am still here
Above the fray
Above all else
To rise like a phoenix
Above and beyond
Beyond belief
Beyond understanding
Beyond a reasonable doubt
Beyond your reach
I am still here
I have outlived
I have outlasted
I have remained alive
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Poem 3: 'What It Means To Heal'
Hello
I'm back
Again
From that secret place
Curled up
Afraid
No terrified
Hidden in the dark
Watching
Waiting
Wondering
Will I ever be safe?
Shhhhh!
Don't breathe
Not a sound
Don't let him hear you
Just the pounding of my heart
Beat by beat
Pumping
Life
Slowly
The rhythm
Brings forth a song
Music
Oh, I want to dance
To sing
To move
These numb limbs of mine
I stir
I stretch
Release
Breathe
Tingling
I begin to move
To sway
To lift up my voice
What beauty
Is that really me?
Singing
Laughing
Unabashed
Uninhibited
Unafraid
So unlike before
So I dance
I sing
I love
Back again
08/06/09
Dedicated to Betsy
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1 comment:
The first poem really HIT home for me esplly. It reminds me of the church's approach to domestic violence.
YES how many times are we to come to the alter with our broken bodies and spirits before someone takes notice.
To me he isn't an angry God - his followers are in denial..and angry that we popped their Christian bubble! They don't like the smell of reality.
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