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Open Poetry #45
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AncientHippie
Member
since 2009-10-15
Posts 411
Surfing the Cosmic Flow

0 posted 2009-10-24 09:43 PM




She
sits quietly,
near the window,
eyes nervously
tracking
remembered pain.

She
does not know
where
she will go
when
frugal municipal funds
force closure
on her shelter.

She
still believes
if she had tried
harder,
if she were
a better person,
he would never
have hurt her.

From "Anger in the Street"



© Copyright 2009 James D. Fanning - All Rights Reserved
Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
1 posted 2009-10-24 10:25 PM


It seems a common pattern that women who have been abused always make it about them, and what they lacked to make it better.  So sad.  It usually has nothing to do with them.
2islander2
Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825
by the sea
2 posted 2009-10-25 08:49 AM


the worst is the guilty sentiment. thanks for the accurate and sad poem.

yann

GBride
Senior Member
since 2009-07-02
Posts 538

3 posted 2009-10-25 10:32 PM


It is a common emotion to want the person who has mistreated you to love you.
"Why does he hurt me, what is wrong with me?
He plays the "Look what you made me do game."

AncientHippie
Member
since 2009-10-15
Posts 411
Surfing the Cosmic Flow
4 posted 2009-10-26 08:13 AM


Mysteria, 2islander2, GBride.  Thank you for your comments.  Abuse of any sort is abhorrent to a civilised society, and it is doubly sad when the victim feels responsible.
Jim

Sutra 22: Anger directed at you is not necessarily about you: always consider the Source.
Jim's Guide to Enlightenment:  The Complete Sutras

GBride
Senior Member
since 2009-07-02
Posts 538

5 posted 2009-10-27 07:43 AM


This is too important a poem to be at the bottom of the list.
The abuser and the abused are locked into vicious circle. They need an intervention.
Both are sick and need help.
Just to lock the abuser up for a few years will not solve the problem.
He will get out eventually and she will find a new abuser.

AncientHippie
Member
since 2009-10-15
Posts 411
Surfing the Cosmic Flow
6 posted 2009-10-27 08:29 AM


GBride:  I appreciate your addition comments.  I see this as a societal problem:  it seems that, somewhere along the line, our value scales were changed into something greedy and distasteful.  In the song, "Woodstock" Joni Mitchell writes "...we are stardust, we are golden, and we've got to get ourselves back to the Garden."  I do not think the Garden referred to here is the Biblical Garden of Eden, rather a place of inclusion, love, and peace, where all may achieve full potential without detracting from, or using, the potential of others.
Namaste
Jim

Sutra 30: Language reflects the Truth of one’s Reality: listen carefully when others speak.
Jim's Guide to Enlightenment

ken206573
Member
since 2008-10-14
Posts 487

7 posted 2009-10-27 11:29 AM


My mother was abused but soon left him,(step father) little regret, soft heart, but kept a warm smile and moved on. Truly many need counsiling and to understand why they need to hurt others. This poem is well put.


AncientHippie
Member
since 2009-10-15
Posts 411
Surfing the Cosmic Flow
8 posted 2009-10-28 12:39 PM


Thank you, Ken.
Best regards, and
Peace
Jim

Sutra 30: Language reflects the Truth of one’s Reality: listen carefully when others speak.
Jim's Guide to Enlightenment

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