Paul Callus Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Scarred

Condemned to fifty lashes.
Skin split...blood flowed
from the quivering flesh.
Helpless, she suffered the pain.
Time healed the deep wounds  
leavings ugly scars on her back
a stark reminder of injustice,
shouldering the blame for being
an innocent victim of male rape.
Permanently, she carries the scars,
ugly, yet beautiful....
when compared to the invisible
emotional scar that hurts forever.

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24th November 2015
Contest: Beautiful scars
Author: Paul Callus
Sponsor: Laura Urbaniak
Placed 2nd

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CayCay Godwin December 4, 2015 at 4:07 AM Oh, my - such an ugly, ignorant place this world is at times, a reminder that despite the USA's problems, I am blessed to be here. You laid it out simply, this truth in our world yet I wanted to turn away. The external scars are at least a pain the woman can understand, unlike the invisible pain you wrote of ... congratulations! CayCay Paul Callus December 6, 2015 at 7:43 AM I agree with you CayCay; no place in the world is perfect, but in this day and age certain things should never be dreamed of, let alone be allowed to actually occur. Thank you for your positive feedback, as always! Have a lovely day:) // paul

Skat A November 28, 2015 at 2:20 PM WOW, that was deep, Paul, Congratulations on your well-deserved win. Love SKAT Paul Callus November 28, 2015 at 2:51 PM Thank you Skat. I know you have your comment button off, but I still get the urge to reply:) hugs // paul

Cherl Dunn November 27, 2015 at 6:43 PM Dear Paul What great pics first of all very powerful chooses, and love the words and verses here my friend, solid entry for this contest, good luck but I don't think you'll need it with this poem of yours, cheri Paul Callus November 28, 2015 at 2:56 PM So pleased to have you visit, Cherl; have not been that active myself lately due to other priorities and a week without computer. Was only making sporadic visits on a borrowed tablet. I noticed that your posts have already become tinged with the Christmas spirit! Regards // paul

Richard Lamoureux November 26, 2015 at 7:43 AM Well expressed and impactful demonstration of injustice! I see it was chosen for the contest, an excellent choice. Paul Callus November 26, 2015 at 4:44 PM Your visit and comments are most welcome, Richard. Thank you. // paul

Michael Tor November 26, 2015 at 5:25 AM Paul congratulations on this provocative piece! Paul Callus November 26, 2015 at 4:36 PM Thank you Michael. Hope the message will get passed on. All the best. // paul

Dr. Upma A. Sharma November 26, 2015 at 4:05 AM Congrats on ur wonderful win Paul with this deep emotive gem .. great pen! Paul Callus November 26, 2015 at 4:23 PM Thank you, Upma; so pleased that you liked it. ~ All the best // paul

Eileen Manassian November 25, 2015 at 11:00 AM Horrendous....thanks for being a voice for those who suffer a double rape....body....soul. Hugs Paul Callus November 26, 2015 at 4:21 PM Lovely to have you stopping by, Eileen:) You describe it well...a double rape! Thank you for your contribution and congrats. hugs // paul Eileen Manassian November 25, 2015 at 11:01 AM Congrats

Alexis Y. November 25, 2015 at 8:13 AM Paul, you penned a powerful and moving piece on a issue that many woman(some men) face world wide. Kudos to you for penning such a revelant message. Congratulations on your win it was well deserved:-) Alexis Paul Callus November 26, 2015 at 4:18 PM Thank you for these expressive remarks, Alexis. Raising awareness is what I am trying to do; hope my voice will not go hoarse! Warm regards:) // paul

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser November 25, 2015 at 6:24 AM Powerful last two lines Paul! I admire the rape victims and all women been harassed and abused but rise to be empowered! kudos!~Olive Eloisa =`) Paul Callus November 26, 2015 at 4:11 PM Some manage to rise from the dirt and move on with fortitude, but many are those who never recover; others never get a second chance ... death denies it them! Thank you for your input, Olive_eloi:) Hugs // paul

Kayod5 Kayode November 24, 2015 at 10:45 PM You always go extra mile in thinking out your work,imaging how far you have gone with this,so marvellous...congrats on the win Paul...hugs Paul Callus November 26, 2015 at 4:00 PM Thank you, Kayode! You always go out of your way to come with complimentary remarks; I appreciate it:) regards // paul

Sandra Haight November 24, 2015 at 10:44 PM Very powerful, Paul and sadly, your words represent the ugly truth of this abuse. Congratulations on your fine win. Sandra Paul Callus November 26, 2015 at 2:53 PM Many thanks, Sandra! Loved your winning Tanka:) Regards // paul

Rizwana Bhurani November 24, 2015 at 10:38 PM So profound.....shows the deepest depth of pain....Congrats Paul Callus November 26, 2015 at 3:55 PM You express feelings in a few words that make much sense, Rizwana. Thank you. Regards // paul

Lindsay Laurie November 24, 2015 at 7:03 PM G'day Paul... just the thought of this injustice has my head shaking. How can this happen in any society - congrats Paul - Lindsay Paul Callus November 26, 2015 at 3:54 PM Unfortunately it still occurs, Lindsay, and in some countries it's being consolidated:( Thank you for the comments and congrats. // paul

Ilene Bauer November 24, 2015 at 6:31 PM this is such a strong and powerful reminder of the unjustice that exists in the world. great poem, paul! Paul Callus November 26, 2015 at 3:39 PM Thank you, Ilene. I have little power to make changes, but at least I can contribute by signing petitions and drawing awareness through my writings. ~ Regards // paul

Pandita Sietesantos November 24, 2015 at 6:03 PM Congratulations on your great win, Paul! I am really glad to see the powerful way you addressed this terrible practice of punishing innocent women who are not responsible for the heinous crimes committed against them. Excellent piece that deserves the attention it is receiving! A-7. Pandita Paul Callus November 26, 2015 at 3:36 PM Love your feedback, Pandita! It is terrible that in this day and age such things are tolerated! Thank you for the high rating. regards // paul

Jan Allison November 24, 2015 at 5:42 PM Dropping back with my congrats Paul:-) hugs Jan xx Paul Callus November 26, 2015 at 2:38 PM Thank you Jan. I see I have still many comments to answer:) Hugs // paul

Eve Roper November 24, 2015 at 5:24 PM Sad but true! Good luck in the contest! Paul Callus November 26, 2015 at 3:22 PM Thank you, Eve; all the best:) // paul

Beautiful Scars November 24, 2015 at 5:10 PM Paul..congrats on your win in my first contest! You got it in right before it closed and I'm grateful you did! :) -lu *smiles* Paul Callus November 26, 2015 at 3:15 PM It was a pleasure being part of your first contest, Laura. Made one mad rush to gain access to it when I saw the doors slowly closing:) Smiles to you, too:) Regards // paul

Connie Marcum Wong November 24, 2015 at 4:38 PM Being abused and then suffering even more is unbearable to contemplate Paul. Your poem brings this terrible injustice to light.if this is for a contest, I hope to see it on top! #7 Paul Callus November 26, 2015 at 3:11 PM Unfortunately it is sad reality, Connie. I read today that the Sultan of Brunei is going to introduce stoning for homosexuality and adulterous offences! Thank you stopping by:) // paul

Jan Allison November 24, 2015 at 1:36 PM Oh Paul this brought tears to my eyes - such a barbaric punishment for one who has been subjected to the brutality of rape and is truly innocent yet seen to be 'guilty' - I can say no more:-( hugs jan xx Paul Callus November 24, 2015 at 2:52 PM Hi Jan....back home, and managed to edit the poem. Maybe I'll go back and tweak it slightly. Such 'punishments' still exist in certain countries, connected to customs or religion. Even worse, there are cases when they are stoned to death! Hugs // paul