Notes About The Poem

While this poem about domestic violence does not accurately represent my reality, it does represent emotions that I have struggled with for years. When people ask, "Why didn't they report it? Why didn't they leave? Why didn't they say something at the time?", they underestimate the power that the men have over women in these situations. Forty years ago, I was inappropriately touched as a child by someone who visited my home. To this day, I can't speak his name due to fear of humiliation, for fear of causing scandal, for fear of not being believed. I grew up hating my body. I grew up not trusting men. It ruined any relationship that I tried to have. This was followed by a male showing me his genitals when I was a teenager trying to deliver his newspaper. It was followed by a college professor who tried to get me to meet him in a bar after class when I asked for class help and then was highly critical of anything I turned in for a grade after I refused. It was followed by being violated by someone who I thought cared about me to the point where I was afraid to even undress in my own home. MeToo isn't just about sexual harassment. It isn't just about wanting attention or wanting to harm someone who is rich and powerful. MeToo is about the strength of women who finally say, it is NOT OK. MeToo is about acknowledging the pain and emotional trauma that violations of our bodies create. It takes so much courage to come forward. This is as close as I've gotten and the idea of it tears me apart. #MeToo.

Metoo

We sit here
In our neat little rows,
Typing away,
Checking our phones.
You chatter away
About weekend plans
The holidays
And everything grand.
I try to join in
But the words disappear
I get choked at the thought
Of holiday cheer.
What you don’t see
When we look in the eye
Is the fear that tonight
Is the night I will die.
You don’t see the tears
Or the way that I jump 
When I see a reflection
Or feel a slight bump.
You only know 
That I’m checking my phone
Looking at screenshots
Of the rooms of my home.
Trying to see
Who lies in wait
What I will meet
When I pass through 
That gate.
But I smile and keep silent
And silently say good-bye
To each and every one of you
As I try not to cry.
Knowing that tomorrow
This seat may be bare
Afraid to stay, Afraid to leave
Afraid that I still care.
So if you read this 
And you wander
How you could not have known…
This is what domestic violence looks like
Silent, smiling, and alone.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Ashford Avatar
August 8, 2019 at 10:39 AM
Very powerful theme of course, and you craft the poem very well. Moving piece.
Sharma Avatar
December 18, 2017 at 7:29 PM
Rachel nice your spirit like it.
Telemacque Avatar
December 11, 2017 at 8:04 PM
This piece is very creative. I like how you pointed out how we hide behind our phones just to look normal when in fact there are so many problems which we face everyday unknown to the observer
Storrier Avatar
December 11, 2017 at 6:25 AM
very powerful write, many thanks for sharing Rachel x
Promise Avatar
December 10, 2017 at 9:47 PM
An abused person smiles deceiving you, perhaps at the bullying of the abuser. The person is trapped in the relationship. A nice Write. Hugs, RP.
One Avatar
December 10, 2017 at 5:11 PM
Powerful write..
Tripp Avatar
November 29, 2017 at 5:11 PM
Very well written , Rachel. Great example of #metoo
La France Avatar
November 24, 2017 at 11:09 AM
Rachel, this write is amazing, I was enthralled with each word, well done ~
May Avatar
November 22, 2017 at 12:34 PM
A silent fear masked by smiles...Powerful write Rachel
Pigeon Tart Avatar
November 22, 2017 at 9:38 AM
Potent impacting pen Rachel, your forward too. Molested at a young age, I wholly relate. I wish you peace and ease of being dear poetess. xomo
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