Taking The Hit

A Complex subject

Taking The Hit

My tears are quiet,

muffled by my pillow

as I bury my bruises.

I dare not let you hear my pain,

my fear;

for your guilt would

drive you to subdue me

all the more.

I know you are a good man,

I know you are caring and well meaning

but the anger builds in you

like a pressure cooker.

The magma boils

until it breaches

the rocks of love and respect,

and spouting from your craterous rage

flows hot over my skin

leaving me black and blue.

Then your tears,

your remorse

rubs salt into my open wounds.

So what should I do?

Denounce you, reject you?

They tell me to leave you

but if I did,

the world would know

me to be a wife

fit for nothing

other than a good beating. 

18/02/17

Reviews

[DIVYA]

John, how well you brought out this complex thing that goes on in a physically abusive relationship. No question of staying in it. She must end it however good the man. Or put a stop to it by setting up strong deterrents. Like the police. They get the message and refrain. They really do. Speaking from experience.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I agree Divya; perhaps also anger management/counselling for the perpetrator. Prison if it is persistent and simply bullying. Thank you.

[DIVYA]

You are welcome John.

[Kelly Scheppers]

As difficult a subject this is, it is even more so, to write about. And we never truly know "who" is reading it - and living it.

Bless you for giving it a face, and a pulse!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks Kelly, your poem made me think on this subject.

[wordman]

abuse as old as time,as rampant as the wind

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you Ron

[jacob erin-cilberto]

wow, you really tackle this perspective so well...you have that empathy as a poet and person to do this...
we feel her pain...and that frustration as to how to change her situation...without having this ending.

nicely done, John.
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Many thanks Jacob.