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Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 1999-08-02 08:10 PM


Hey, lady! Let go of that purse!
It's not that I'm so bad
But I am just a product of
The lousy life I had.
My parents were not very nice -
Come on, you silly goose!
Ain't good to try to argue with
A victim of abuse.

Hey, officer! Cut me some slack!
Don't be harrasing me.
I'm just a small by-product of
A cruel society.
My mama didn't treat me right.
Now, turn these handcuffs loose!
It's hard enough surviving as
A victim of abuse.

Hey, Judge! Your honor! What's up here
With burglary and assault?
When any child psychologist
Will say it ain't my fault.
They made me take the garbage out;
They made me cut the grass.
When I talked back or cursed at them
Those suckers whooped my ass!

Just tell these boys to set me free.
Don't keep them in suspense.
My lawyer says important folks
Have used this same defense.
Hey, Johnny Cochran! Help me out
The way you did the Juice.
Convince these folks I'm nothing but
A victim of abuse.

Hey, warden! I mean, this ain't right!
They treat me like a girl!
They make me put red lipstick on
And comb my hair in curls.
Shoe polish for mascara and
My underwear's chartreuse!
Appears I really have become
A victim of abuse.

Hey, parole board! You must surely know
That I have served my time.
It wasn't me that forced myself
To do that silly crime.
It's how my teachers taught me.....
What the hell. There ain't no use.
There'll never be no justice for
A victim of abuse.



© Copyright 1999 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved
Tim
Senior Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 1794

1 posted 1999-08-02 08:16 PM


Obviously another excellent poem...
but only if it were that simple...
I put people in prison for a living and have no regrets doing it... but abuse is indeed a vicious cycle..

Sally S.
Senior Member
since 1999-06-07
Posts 847
Ohio
2 posted 1999-08-02 08:18 PM


Again, a wonderful piece. I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry...so, I did both....just in case.

P.S.....ever been in two places at once? I have..er am.

Andrew Scott
Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558
Redlands,CA,USA
3 posted 1999-08-02 08:22 PM


Once again he proves why "He da' man."
I'm a firm believer in accepting responsibility for one's own actions. I think a good portion of our society has lost sight of that simple truth. Sure, the world isn't fair, but nobody said it was.
Thanks again for another fine posting Sir Balladeer.

Crystal
Member
since 1999-07-24
Posts 62
Hazel Park Mi U.S.A.
4 posted 1999-08-02 08:26 PM


Great Job. I was always told "You do the crime, you pay the time."
Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
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Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
5 posted 1999-08-02 08:27 PM


Tim, I couldn't agree more. True abuse is. Those who use it as an excuse do great harm to the true victims.

Thank you, Sally
You, too, Crystal

Andrew, thank you.....and I couldn't agree more.

[This message has been edited by Balladeer (edited 08-02-99).]

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
6 posted 1999-08-02 08:28 PM


An innocent victim of abuse
That is what he said
When he raped the little 5 year-old
And bashed her in the head

He tried to get off on the pretense
That he was insane
Pretended that he didn't even
Know his very name

But the judge saw through his act
For he wasn't all the good
And tonight he fries for all his lies
As well and good he should

Balladeer.....you'll have to pardon my rambling, but I get a bit angry when people blame all their crimes on their enviroment. Yes, you are part of your enviroment, but you also have control of your life. Because I lived in an abusive marriage for 17 years does not give me the right to break the laws or inflict pain onto others.


------------------
"Nobody has measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold" ~Zelda Fitzgerald

Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
7 posted 1999-08-02 08:31 PM


Amen,Hoot
Tim
Senior Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 1794

8 posted 1999-08-02 08:43 PM


I apologize for getting into a philosophical discussion, but I do find the responses intriguing. I have spent my entire adult life as a prosecutor and as such have lived and do live the philosophy that a person should be held accountable for their actions. That still begs the question of how to solve the problem of abuse and crime. People must be punished for their actions. But to prevent abuse and criminal acts, you have to break the cycle of abuse and violence. That is a societal problem that will not be solved by imprisoning criminals. I function on the end of the system, seeing that people are punished and sent to prison. But my profession has taught me that prevention is the key to stopping crime. Sorry for the ramble.
Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
9 posted 1999-08-02 08:55 PM


Ramble on, anytime, Tim. I'm sure you saw this poem as a parody on people who feign abuse because they have no other excuse. Actual abuse was not mentioned or portrayed. This was comedy, Tim. Please regard it as such. Did Officer Krumke in West Side Story get such a serious response? Take two poems and smile,smile,smile.
Elizabeth
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Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871
Minnesota
10 posted 1999-08-02 10:14 PM


How true this is of today's society. Every little thing today is counted as abuse, no matter what it is. And then the "victims" get away, literally, with murder. I know that some really do lead tough lives, and even though it's sad, that really does not give then the right to hurt anyone else or mess up anyone else's life. The "victim" is not the only victim. In fact, I know of someone who was abused (for real). I have never even met her, and she has had an affect on my life by hurting someone I do know. It is a vicious cycle. *stepping off of soapbox*

------------------
*Elizabeth*

"Dwelt a maid belov'd and cherish'd by high and low,
But with autumn leaf she perish'd, long time ago..."

Poet deVine
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
11 posted 1999-08-02 10:51 PM


There is man who stabbed his wife
nad hit her on the head
then drown her for good measure
it was sleep walking was what he said


Balladeer, I found your poem amusing (well written - that goes without saying) and yet it angered me. So many people use the 'abuse' plea to justify their own faults, to justify their life of crime. But those poor souls who are abused and don't commit crimes just keep on facing each day and taking it as it comes.

redwriter1
Member
since 1999-07-22
Posts 480
Franklin, TN
12 posted 1999-08-02 11:11 PM


maybe this may help..


please read between the lines and know that there is hope...


I've seen the movies
I've seen the love scenes
someone always crys

when they do
arms wrap around them
dry the tears from their eyes

I've been cryin all my life
it's not the same thing
when I cryed I waited so long
the arms never came

Noone sees the
8 year old tears
and how much it aches
to lie alone in
bed at night and
silently wait

for arms to come
but there are none
noone to ease the pain

Now I'm older
but I remember
the arms never came

Alone in bed
my eyes are red
I'm still 8 years old
time goes by
but time stands still
when there's nothing there
to hold on tooooo

I'ts been along time
I should be fine
that's what they say
but when I look back
I can't keep track
it hurts anyway


but..
then I hold my 8 year old
the pain all goes away..


the chains been broken
he won't have to sayyy

the arms never came..

...


that's the only answer...
the only way you learn how to overcome pain
is to relieve someone else's

and it's such an honor to be trusted
to do so.

it heals the soul..

I hope I didn't ramble on too much..

(smile)


Princess Lily
Member
since 1999-07-13
Posts 149
USA
13 posted 1999-08-03 01:25 AM


Spectacular poem Balladeer.Once again you captured my imagination.

------------------
We see only what we want to see~unless perhaps~we believe

*A rose is a rose it withers and dies...so long as you keep it the memories stay alive*


Delores Hall
Member
since 1999-07-16
Posts 342
USA
14 posted 1999-08-03 10:36 AM


How true this is a lot of times,when they
refuse to take responsibilty for their crimes.

Sundance
Member
since 1999-07-11
Posts 123

15 posted 1999-08-03 10:43 AM


Wonderful, as always. Good going!


redwriter1
Member
since 1999-07-22
Posts 480
Franklin, TN
16 posted 1999-08-03 09:32 PM


read a quote today..
said..

We hate what we fear. If as a child you fear the dark.. As an adult you will say you "hate" the dark.

insert various words.. makes sense to me

Balladeer
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
17 posted 1999-08-03 09:40 PM


I agree, Red. It's been that way since the dawn of time. That's why there are always so many wars.
WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
18 posted 1999-08-04 08:25 AM


A job well done indeed! I also found mixed emotions on this one, you wanna laugh but know you should cry. It was Wes King who wrote in a song...You can blame it on the police/for being too rough/You can blame it on the president/for not caring enough/You can blame it on anything you see/But don't blame what I do on me.
Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
19 posted 1999-08-04 09:53 AM


But it works for Billy Clinton?
I know that's the reason why-
Cuz that's what Hillary's 'a-hintin,
Bout her poor a-bused guy.

His mother and her mother,
They oftened disagreed,
Poor Bill was just a victim,
And it perpetuates his sexual needs.

It wasn't for the sexual bliss,
Nor for pleasure with these ladies,
It's just because of the abuse
He suffered as a baby.

He probably thought that his affairs,
With these women was not good,
It wasn't sex anyhow?
Just the result of his childhood.

After all the poor old Prez,
Was just mis-led too far,
It never wouldda happened,
If he didn't smoke cigars!

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
20 posted 1999-08-04 10:06 AM


Toerag: I love it! (Your poem, not the prez's actions! LOL)

Wonderful poem, Balladeer... and wonderful responses. I cry for those who suffer actual abuse... but abhor those who think a less than perfect life justifies their every action, however heinous!

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
21 posted 1999-08-04 12:57 PM


At last, someone was able to see why I wrote this poem. Nicely done, Toerag!
Cobra
Member
since 1999-07-27
Posts 58

22 posted 1999-08-04 06:03 PM


Bravo! Good poem yet again...
tori
Senior Member
since 1999-06-18
Posts 520
Mechanicsville, Maryland, USA
23 posted 1999-08-04 10:05 PM


I thought the poem was great Balladeer
Show's many sides of the coin.. your choice as to where you stand

If you go to the edge of the clif fall... and breatk your leg.. will you send your friend out to the edge...
comes to mind a song my 19 year old son wrote:

Life In The World

Question to the point I'm making
Peoples lives are being taken
Those who trip are just mistaken
Can you hear these words I'm speaking, Now...

"For something in side, to blame your self,
When something inside you dies its time
To blame your self"

As you look up to the sky,
Your final glimpse before you die
Now your life is being taken
Question to the point I'm making

"For something inside, to blame your self
When something inside you dies its time
To blame your self"

lyrics by:
Wayne Hosier
copyright WEH 1997


Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
24 posted 1999-08-04 10:18 PM


Thank you, Tori. Your son is very talented. That is a nice piece of work. Thanks for sharing it.
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