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Array
(
[sid] => 73632
[catid] => 1
[aid] => mick
[title] => The Irony Of Abuse
[time] => 2004-11-29 17:41:19
[hometext] => -This was a very personal piece and a bit difficult to write. I would like to thank themoth for helping with the revision of this, it was greatly appreciated.-
[bodytext] =>
Years have passed since it all began
I have trouble remembering a time in which
It never existed.
The screaming, the fights, accusations,
Vulgarities spit at one another,
Threats spoken; the only promises ever kept.
Glass shattering, sirens flashing,
Screams in the distance, never answered-
Only forgotten, as a new day arises.
And I, a small child when it began…
Watching scenes of catastrophe
Attempting to salvage what I could,
The broken pieces of my family.
But at the age of four,
A voice not often heard.
So, as all problems are resolved,
Mother scooped up her daughter and fled.
But the damage was too deep.
And with the first time she held control,
Her fury found a scapegoat in her child.
And as time passed, and she bore another,
He became her main obsession.
While the oldest, only nine,
Was once again forced to watch,
Completely helpless, her voice ignored…
A year later, a change of scenery.
Back with her father,
Suppressing memories from long ago.
Disregarding her mother’s warnings;
Choosing the lesser of two evils.
Age eleven, her brother three,
Father owns both now.
And sadly, the roles switch;
Daughter now mother,
Brother resuming her former place.
Though the abuse remains emotional,
By age thirteen, she realizes the inevitable.
And with one last sobbing cry for help,
She downs every pill within grasp.
Hundreds by hundreds, wishing her life away.
Only to awaken in Intensive Care,
Finding that even death is too much to ask.
So she runs for the next three years,
Avoiding her father’s wrath.
Finding solace in self-mutilation
Only to return, to face her past
In an attempt to put old demons to rest.
Now sixteen, and supposedly "wiser,"
She recognizes her own strength,
And no longer merely accepts
Her father’s threats, but defends herself.
Angering him even more…
Until one day it reaches a breaking point.
He grabs hold of her, throwing her to the ground
Over and over…Never ceasing.
And each time she attempts to stand,
Once more she is thrown down.
Quicker, and more fiercely.
Helpless and frightened, pleading for help,
And yet someone remains in the distance-
His friend, not acting, merely watching…
Once free from his grasp,
She dashes to the phone
Dialing a so-called "safety net"
But before the numbers are even pressed,
He speaks these dreadful words:
"I’ll just tell them you attacked me…"
And as soon as they arrive,
That’s exactly what he does.
And because he’s such a great liar,
The bruises and handprints covering her body,
Are merely disregarded.
Her voice, as always, unheard.
While she’s deemed the "assailant,"
And he, the "victim."
[comments] => 7
[counter] => 178
[topic] => 48
[informant] => cuddlytiger17
[notes] =>
[ihome] => 0
[alanguage] => english
[acomm] => 0
[haspoll] => 0
[pollID] => 0
[score] => 10
[ratings] => 2
[editpoem] => 1
[associated] =>
[topicname] => EmotionalPoetry
)
The Irony Of Abuse
Contributed by
cuddlytiger17
on
Monday, 29th November 2004 @ 05:41:19 PM in AEST
Topic:
EmotionalPoetry
|
Years have passed since it all began
I have trouble remembering a time in which
It never existed.
The screaming, the fights, accusations,
Vulgarities spit at one another,
Threats spoken; the only promises ever kept.
Glass shattering, sirens flashing,
Screams in the distance, never answered-
Only forgotten, as a new day arises.
And I, a small child when it began…
Watching scenes of catastrophe
Attempting to salvage what I could,
The broken pieces of my family.
But at the age of four,
A voice not often heard.
So, as all problems are resolved,
Mother scooped up her daughter and fled.
But the damage was too deep.
And with the first time she held control,
Her fury found a scapegoat in her child.
And as time passed, and she bore another,
He became her main obsession.
While the oldest, only nine,
Was once again forced to watch,
Completely helpless, her voice ignored…
A year later, a change of scenery.
Back with her father,
Suppressing memories from long ago.
Disregarding her mother’s warnings;
Choosing the lesser of two evils.
Age eleven, her brother three,
Father owns both now.
And sadly, the roles switch;
Daughter now mother,
Brother resuming her former place.
Though the abuse remains emotional,
By age thirteen, she realizes the inevitable.
And with one last sobbing cry for help,
She downs every pill within grasp.
Hundreds by hundreds, wishing her life away.
Only to awaken in Intensive Care,
Finding that even death is too much to ask.
So she runs for the next three years,
Avoiding her father’s wrath.
Finding solace in self-mutilation
Only to return, to face her past
In an attempt to put old demons to rest.
Now sixteen, and supposedly "wiser,"
She recognizes her own strength,
And no longer merely accepts
Her father’s threats, but defends herself.
Angering him even more…
Until one day it reaches a breaking point.
He grabs hold of her, throwing her to the ground
Over and over…Never ceasing.
And each time she attempts to stand,
Once more she is thrown down.
Quicker, and more fiercely.
Helpless and frightened, pleading for help,
And yet someone remains in the distance-
His friend, not acting, merely watching…
Once free from his grasp,
She dashes to the phone
Dialing a so-called "safety net"
But before the numbers are even pressed,
He speaks these dreadful words:
"I’ll just tell them you attacked me…"
And as soon as they arrive,
That’s exactly what he does.
And because he’s such a great liar,
The bruises and handprints covering her body,
Are merely disregarded.
Her voice, as always, unheard.
While she’s deemed the "assailant,"
And he, the "victim."
Copyright ©
cuddlytiger17
... [
2004-11-29 17:41:19]
(Date/Time posted on
site)
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Re: The Irony Of Abuse
(User Rating: 1 )
by Former_Member on
Monday, 29th November 2004 @ 05:45:54 PM AEST
(User
Info | Send
a Message)
|
It's nice, but I dont think the ending of your poem comes together very well. It's a really great start for a poetic story; I just think it needs a more complete ending.
--Ryu |
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Re: The Irony Of Abuse
(User Rating: 1 )
by theMoth on
Monday, 29th November 2004 @ 06:04:02 PM AEST
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Info | Send
a Message)
|
It's so different.
No need to tell a longer story,
but I think you are telling a story
of tragic irony...
You might send an edit request to Mick...
You could elaborate a little on how sad
it is that she remains the unheard victim.
Like he's called the victim,
and she the assailiant,
the true victim,
She remains ignored
and helpless.
That would be a more satisfying end.
--Mothy |
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Re: The Irony Of Abuse
(User Rating: 1 )
by teagy03 on
Monday, 29th November 2004 @ 06:06:12 PM AEST
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Info | Send
a Message)
|
| awesome write. I feel so bad, and yet, feel that it may have been a big accomplishment for you to write your feelings down. Well done. |
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Re: The Irony Of Abuse
(User Rating: 1 )
by ShadowDaughter on
Monday, 29th November 2004 @ 07:45:04 PM AEST
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Info | Send
a Message)
|
Wow . . . poetically, it's beautiful, for the way you use language to paint such a story so vividly. Emotionally, it's yet more beautiful, for the fact that you had the strength to write it at all. Wonderful job, hon.
Oh, by the way-- going to have to disagree with the other commentors about the poem's ending. I love the way you end it, flinging the bitter irony of the situation at us, like a slap in the face. Since you don't elaborate, it makes the reader draw their own conclusion, and by not being drawn out has more power and effect. The nonsensical -to the point of sarcasm- idea of the last two lines brings together the whole poem, the indignity and senselessness and pain of it all . . .
Honest "I'm so sorry"s from someone who knows just how little "I'm so sorry"s can do.
--Nora |
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Re: The Irony Of Abuse
(User Rating: 1 )
by Essentially9 on
Monday, 29th November 2004 @ 09:30:13 PM AEST
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Info | Send
a Message)
|
| i agree with mothy. =] great write. |
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Re: The Irony Of Abuse
(User Rating: 1 )
by theMoth on
Friday, 3rd December 2004 @ 06:32:52 PM AEST
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a Message)
|
I like the poem.
I came back and read it,
and I like the story you tell.
The ending does leave you
wanting more...
a conclusion of somekind.
Good or bad.
It's very compelling.
It's messin with my head.
--Mothy |
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Re: The Irony Of Abuse
(User Rating: 1 )
by emphaticplacebo on
Sunday, 5th December 2004 @ 12:09:25 PM AEST
(User
Info | Send
a Message)
|
I am in awe! This is such a fantastic poem, you paint the scene so vividly and describe your pain, anguish and sadness so well.. I too, have to disagree about the ending, I quite like it, as it leaves an open suggestion to the reader to come to their own conclusions. You have an awesome talent and I hope you take it further and find further successes in it.
Dan |
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