The Woman In the Window

Can you see the woman in the window?
                                                 She basks in the glow of the moment,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                 donning a princess pink gown
                                                 with a train of angel white.
                                                 Nervous tears of joy                    
                                                 stream down her vibrant face
                                                 streaking her blushing cheeks
                                                 a pallad hue of shadow blue.

                                                
                                                Can you see the woman in the window?
                                                  She bathes in the light of renewed hope
                                                  dressed in a large billowing top
                                                  with teddy bears adorning the front.
                                                  The sudden thrust of an innocent kick
                                                  forces her to clutch her swollen belly,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                  and a tender smile fades to a wince
                                                  as motherhood pains begin to quicken.

                                               Can you see the woman in the window?
                                                  she soaks in the brutality of the moment
                                                  clothed in a torn cotton gown
                                                  with crimson streaks down the front
                                                  Like a doll thrown to the floor,
                                                  she lay broken against the window
                                                  her head twisted slightly askew
                                                  with finger bruises around her neck.
                                                  Her battered terror ravaged face
                                                  pressed against a cracked window pain,
                                                  like some macabre masterpiece.
                                                  Two crystal blue eyes frozen in fear 
                                                  now free from the hands of oppression
                                                  surrender a horrible unspoken truth.
                                                  Huddled next to the cold lifeless body,
                                                  a tiny teary-eyed little girl
                                                  clutches a frail banded hand,
                                                  and loudly whimpers the words:
                                                  Mommy! Please wake up! 
                                         
                                                 Have you seen a woman in the window?
                                                  Will she be there tomorrow...?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Fame Avatar
December 22, 2020 at 1:31 PM
Never seen a poem like this. I like it! It kept me interested and carried me through
Manassian Avatar
May 25, 2013 at 5:07 AM
Kim....beauty turned to horror...No...this is too heavy a weight to bear. That little girl...having to see this. I read the comments below and I know this is inspired by real events..that is why it is so heart rending! May God have mercy on all those who are battered by brutes they call husbands...Moved beyond measure...
Morrison Avatar
May 25, 2013 at 5:17 AM
Thank You Eileen!
Breidenthal Avatar
April 16, 2013 at 10:11 PM
Love the word play- window pain. Sweet!Another cool verse! I'm already a fan. Always, Laura
A   Avatar
April 16, 2013 at 9:24 PM
wow Kim, basking the heat of the moment... I like the thought and imagery. very unique! A sad feeling when reading the end... and following the little girl and her vision... always~ LINDA
Morrison Avatar
May 10, 2013 at 7:56 PM
Wrote this a long time ago, but it still brings a tear to my eye because it is based on two women I knew as a child. One was beaten unrecognizable and the other was beaten to the brink of death by the men who were suppose to love them.
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