Paul Callus Poet Free verse

The Domino Effect

At long last
the woman in her rebelled!    
Overcoming fear and shame
she spoke out
not in a whisper
but loud, clear; determined
to end the torment within,
the silence...the omerta`.
The first domino fell and
others followed suit.
There is strength in unity,
courage in numbers.
Riding the wave of change
#MeToo
Horrors, lies, cover-ups 
exposed; untouchables
hit the ground from high perches.

Sexual abuse!
Sexual assault!
Sexual harassment!

Perpetrators cling to 
consensual claims, innocence, 
pleas for forgiveness.
Victims call for justice.

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Contest: HASHTAGmetoo
Sponsor: Debbie Guzzi
© 16th December, 2017

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Reason A. Poteet February 3, 2018 at 3:25 PM Hopefully, justice will come to those who were forced to quit their public positions because of such harassment. They should serve time equivalent to the years of the abuse they served their victims. Good to see your write on this controversial subject long left under cover. Paul Callus February 6, 2018 at 4:08 PM Thank you for your insightful feedback, Reason. Best regards // paul

Ronald A. Williams January 3, 2018 at 8:47 AM Hi Paul, nicely written and honest thoughts. If you believe in Jesus, this is certainly even though true or not true have Redeem which truly could be. Note: the Bible says Truth and Grace came by Jesus Christ. He is whole truth of "Life, Honesty, Purity, Redemption and Forgiveness, Faith and Selfless Sacrifice. Read my Poem "Not me too but Jesus." Paul Callus January 3, 2018 at 12:39 PM Thank you for your visit and comments, Ronald. I will now go read your poem. Regards // paul

Richard Evans December 30, 2017 at 6:46 PM A poetic reminder of the world we live in. Very nice..............peace! Paul Callus December 31, 2017 at 9:19 AM Exactly so, Richard. The positive side to it is that victims are finding the courage to speak out! Regards // paul

Freddie Robinson Jr. December 26, 2017 at 3:47 PM Powerful truth ink this poem spills, Paul! Great poem w/a resounding message of liberated hope. Really enjoyed reading this poem ... it made my day w/a smile added to a raised cup of joy. Ty my dear friend for speaking on a subject sorely needed to be brought to the light of public discourse. Love and peace always. Paul Callus December 27, 2017 at 1:45 PM Thank you for your awesome feedback, Freddie! This topic would have been right up your street...you have the right unwavering pen to tackle such a write! May love & peace also come your way, my friend. // paul

Nathan D. December 25, 2017 at 11:38 AM That is awesome Paul Callus December 25, 2017 at 2:25 PM That's an awesome comment, Nathan...thank you:) Regards // paul

Richard Lamoureux December 21, 2017 at 9:14 AM Well expressed Paul. I am also dropping by to wish you and those you love a Merry Christmas. Paul Callus December 21, 2017 at 10:08 AM Thank you, Richard. May the spirit of Christmas be with you and all your family. Regards // paul

Supraja Kannan December 20, 2017 at 7:44 AM Great write Paul and so true... Good luck in the contest...Thanks for sharing this powerful write... Paul Callus December 20, 2017 at 11:00 AM Thank you very much, Supraja. Best regards // paul

Harry Horsman December 19, 2017 at 9:21 AM Your pen does the poem and the subject matter justice Paul,,,good luck in contest sure Debbie will like. Paul Callus December 19, 2017 at 12:22 PM Thank you for the favourable comments, Harry. Best regards // paul

Anne-Lise Andresen December 18, 2017 at 2:51 AM - Really great written, Paul :) - Luck in the contest - Merry Christmas, enjoy your holiday with joy and peace :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Paul Callus December 18, 2017 at 3:26 PM Thank you Anne-Lise:) May you too have a lovely and merry Christmas! Hugs // paul

Chris Hagy December 17, 2017 at 8:57 PM Amen to that! The good Lord twice saved me from full assault, and that is definitely a topic that makes my blood boil! Love the last verse Paul :) Paul Callus December 18, 2017 at 3:07 PM No wonder it makes your blood boil, Chris...you talk from first hand experience. Glad you avoided a worse fate. ~ By the way, was pleased to hear your singing voice:) Regards // paul

Susan Ashley December 17, 2017 at 5:44 PM It takes real courage to stand up to the high and mighty, powerful people who use their authority to abuse victims Paul. Thank you for using the talent of your pen to give a strong voice to this cause to continue the movement of the wave of change. An excellent poem my friend. I hope you had a lovely weekend, mine was very busy.. Good luck in the contest! ~Susan Paul Callus December 18, 2017 at 3:02 PM You are right, Susan; standing up to the powerful takes guts. Thank you, as always, for your lovely feedback. ~ Mine was a busy weekend, too; managed to go see a panto, too. ~ Warm regards // paul

Silent One December 17, 2017 at 6:33 AM I was reading this and I thought about METOO, before you mentioned it.. Shows what an excellent poem it is with an excellent analogy.. Should do very well in the contest... Paul Callus December 17, 2017 at 12:43 PM Your comments show that I did not write this poem in vain, S-1! Thank you! Regards // paul

Andrea Dietrich December 16, 2017 at 7:52 PM Excellent work, Paul. I really like how you took the challenge of this topic!! Paul Callus December 17, 2017 at 12:22 PM Glad you liked it, Andrea; thank you. Regards // paul

Rhoda Tripp December 16, 2017 at 7:45 PM Very kindhearted of you to step up for the cause. A nice tribute to the victims. Paul Callus December 17, 2017 at 12:21 PM Thank you, Rhoda. I'm not in a 'powerful' position to have an impact on this problem, but at least I can contribute with my pen. Regards // paul

Sunlite Wanter December 16, 2017 at 6:31 PM Thanks for speaking out on PS, too. Very well expressed. Paul Callus December 17, 2017 at 12:06 PM Thank you Sunlite. This topic has been very much in the news lately; this contest should raise more awareness about it. Regards // paul

Ilene Bauer December 16, 2017 at 6:21 PM you've described what is happening so well, paul! i wonder when (if ever) this will end. every day brings down a few more dominoes... Paul Callus December 17, 2017 at 11:53 AM Thank you, Ilene. The situation will never be perfect, but things are moving in the right direction. Regards // paul

Jan Allison December 16, 2017 at 5:56 PM Bravo Paul so powerfully penned!:-)and unfortunately the final stanza is so so true. hugs jan xx Paul Callus December 17, 2017 at 11:52 AM Thank you, Jan. I noticed this contest last evening when only a couple of entries were still available. I wrote the poem quickly, posted it and managed to enter it in time. Went back to it this morning and altered/added some things. Hugs // paul