Caren Krutsinger Poet Free verse

She Did Not Mean To Kill Him

She did not mean to kill him
But she did
A never before unknown self
Had risen from the bowels of preservation

He had approached her with a claw hammer
And something snapped
Possibly because she had already had three hospital visits
Black eye, broken jaw, bruised tibia, broken collar bone, 
All accidents.


Oh no he would never hurt her
You saved yourself, her relatives told her. Good for you.
You are evil, his relatives told her. You deserve all kinds of punishments.
She was horrified, 
Not realizing she had
This self-preservation in her.

The first two years had been wonderful before the beatings began.
She grieved those two years the ten years she was in prison.

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Ann Foster December 7, 2019 at 8:23 PM I have commented on this one before... I recognized it right away. It speaks volumes between the lines, outside the lines, grocery lines, food lines, work lines, telephone lines... cutting lines... You are so great at this... I am lost thinking about... other things this brought in line, with my mind. Excellent poetry. Emotion, power and precise surgical slices... Bravo... Ann Caren Krutsinger December 8, 2019 at 1:56 AM Thank you Ann. You may comment as many times as you like.

Jennifer Proxenos December 7, 2019 at 2:43 PM This is such a worthwhile, clever write and happens often and sometimes we never hear of such incidents, so bravo for penning this wonderful prose! Hugs,and blessings, Jenny. Caren Krutsinger December 8, 2019 at 1:56 AM Thank you Jenny.

Sandra Adams December 7, 2019 at 12:51 PM sometimes they stick around out of fear of what the abuser may do... (been there) some don't ever get the strength to leave and eventually snap...sad reality for some... good penning by you :) hugs Caren Krutsinger December 8, 2019 at 1:57 AM It is so sad for the children, who are as confused as the mothers, and ever so vulnerable. I am sad you have experienced this.

Demetrios Trifiatis December 7, 2019 at 9:24 AM Sometimes the victim may have committed crimes against the killer that the latter could not take it anymore. You have brought up a moral dilemma dear, Caren that each one of us is asked to give an answer. Well written my friend. Caren Krutsinger December 8, 2019 at 1:58 AM It is an amazing thing when we do not have the empathy we need to figure out a better way to end this story.

Running Wolves December 7, 2019 at 8:43 AM Hmmm.... Remind me to stay on your good side... But seriously I don't think anyone who kills another in self-defense should even be prosecuted. Especially if the deceased has a history of violence. Caren Krutsinger December 8, 2019 at 1:59 AM I wrote this in honor of a friend of a friend who was hospitalized three times after her husband took a hammer to her skull. The last time they did not think she would make it. Her grown children BEGGED her to get away, and she finally did.

Kim Rodrigues December 7, 2019 at 4:48 AM Yes, anyone can snap given such circumstances. We certainly do have an inner self. Caren Krutsinger December 8, 2019 at 1:59 AM There is an inner self inside we do not know or recognize.

Ann Foster December 7, 2019 at 12:24 AM Wow... powerful... he deserved it... I have a garden... I weed a lot and turn the dirt over... it is good for planting... and there are lots of vegetables that do well all year. Wonderful write. You are an excellent poetess. Ann Ann Foster December 7, 2019 at 8:25 PM You and I both know the difference... don't we... :) ( ) .... Hugs. Ann Caren Krutsinger December 7, 2019 at 1:49 AM Thank you Ann. I am a storyteller and sometimes I wonder "is this a poem or prose"? This was one of those. I appreciate your comments.