I wrote this poem several years ago. This is based on my own experience going to a domestic violence support group. The woman speaking in this poem is real and so are her words. It was a powerful moment for me that I felt compelled to write about.
Words
(By Zen Fu)
She sits in our circle
And solemnly reports,
“He broke my nose, choked me out,
He even stabbed me.” Then her face contorts.
“But what has hurt me the most
Beyond all the wounds and scars
Are the words that’s been said,
That’s what has hurt me most by far.”
“Because I can’t shake him from my head.
All these horrible things he speaks,
That are not me. I know this.”
But I can see his words have made her weak.
Many times I have heard this.
Many times I have seen their tears.
From many different women
Who have shared all their fears.
The abuse that they’ve been given
And their children taken away
Their dreams that have been shattered
And their hope that has decayed
Because of someone who professed to love them
As they screamed at them their words
Of hatred, ignorance, cruelty and lies
Shouting until the whole world has heard.
But there are times they say it softly
Whispering into your ear
All the horrible things
They know that you fear
For there are no limits to abuse.
The lines are far and in between
Of boundaries people usually think of
Like bruising to be seen.
Because time and time again
In this room where tears fall
It is the mind games and the words
That have hurt most of all.
Originally published at http://zen-fu.com on February 15, 2020.
