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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

Date: 12/7/2019 8:23:00 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
Date: 12/8/2019 1:56:00 AM

Thank you Ann. You may comment as many times as you like.

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 12/7/2019 2:43:00 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
Date: 12/8/2019 1:56:00 AM

Thank you Jenny.

Sandra Adams

Date: 12/7/2019 12:51:00 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
Date: 12/8/2019 1:57:00 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

Date: 12/7/2019 9:24:00 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
Date: 12/8/2019 1:58:00 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

Date: 12/7/2019 8:43:00 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
Date: 12/8/2019 1:59:00 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

Date: 12/7/2019 4:48:00 AM

Yes, anyone can snap given such circumstances. We certainly do have an inner self.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 12/8/2019 1:59:00 AM

There is an inner self inside we do not know or recognize.

Ann Foster

Date: 12/7/2019 12:24:00 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
Date: 12/7/2019 8:25:00 PM

You and I both know the difference... don't we... :) ( ) .... Hugs. Ann

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 12/7/2019 1:49:00 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.