“(…) seemed to have fallen
from shelf to shelf of someone’s rage.” – John Ashbery
There is not one among us who haven’t met “her”, at some time or other in our lives. Perhaps we’ve heard of “her” in the news, perhaps we’ve seen “her” blurry picture in a newspaper, perhaps “she” is our neighbor, or a relative, or a friend, perhaps “she” is the one we walk by every day when we go to work, or the one who has been taking the same bus we’ve been taking ourselves for so many years – perhaps “she” is the one we don’t even “see” anymore. Perhaps one of us has been, or is, “she” – and perhaps some of you will feel a jolt of recognition, and think to yourselves “if I replace “her” with “him”, then this poem is all about me.”
This poem is, in fact, about “all of them” – those, anywhere, everywhere, who have suffered or go on suffering any form of abuse, and who will not, because they don’t believe they can, don’t know how to, or have simply given up, find a perspective out of that “staring space”.
(Photo from “olhares.com”)
the staring space of the abused
the space stares vacantly into her eyes.
It’s time for nothing, and her pleas have run out of lips – shedding stillness, like parched answers in minute flakes, upon her hands.
her hands, with a lifelessness of their own, overcrowding the purpose of touch patiently callused in absence of warmth - as they knead herself down to flat bread.
it’s time for nothing, and her dreams have shut the air outside.
inside, days gone and to come smudge uniform monochrome passages along the floor – scrubbed of significance in her steps.
and breath is but a recurrence - ignored, like a habit.
like a self-portrait of an intimate stranger dropping shadows, now and then, with subtle thuds – but kept hanging, in that soundless yellowing of definition and of bruises, there.
where time is for nothing and space stares vacantly into her eyes.
Amazing sensitivity and perception, Alexandra. Lost and cloistered in her own space and thoughts, like a sentence, like vows and allegiance to a closed sisterhood of self-abasement and denial. You paint this situation vividly for us here and render beauty for ashes, grace for the bowed. May all who suffer in this way find the inner resolve to rise up, both inside and out. Bless you for coming alongside in this way. Seeing another's plight is a huge mark of appreciation, in the just "being there". TY Kate xx
Reviewed by Joseph* OneLight*® (Reader)
Reviewed on March 26, 2007
Xandinha,
What a perfectly open and honest view of the "ugly" side of the human condition. Whether by social, cultural or religious indoctrination, many individuals have come to regard themselves as "lesser beings" and thus "deserving" of being treated in a less than human way. What is it about these social, cultural and religious groups that make them feel they have the "right" to believe they are better and thus have the "right" to impose their beliefs and their very will upon other individuals? No one has the "right" to demand submissiveness from another. As you and I know, we wouldn't even think of demanding such a thing from our horses or to even think we could whip them into obedience. We earn their respect by respecting them and this has brought us more success than those who adhere to a philosophy of dominance. Common respect is a thing most lacking in our world today. The concept of "live and let live" is seen as a sign of weakness and, as we know, only the strong survive. Some believe in serving only the self rather than also serving others. Truly, the greatest joy in this life can be derived through our service to others. Humanity, as a whole, must begin to rise up against those individuals and institutions which promote the thought that one being is "superior" to another. Whether it's males versus females, muslims versus jews, the U.S. versus Iran and on and on and on. Let us discard this foolishness and embrace the concept that we all have equal value in the eyes of our Creator. Let no one believe that they are more or less "worthy" than another, especially within the framework of basic rights and basic needs. One cannot believe in such an enlightened and civilized philosophy while also believing that it is acceptable to abuse another in any way.
Sorry for rambling but this subject really infuriates me. Thank You for such a well-written piece that shines light onto the ugliness that cannot be ignored.
Stunning dear friend, Alexandra this reads as the perfect door opener for a book of poems written for and in support of battered women and children everywhere. Perhaps with the number of talented writers on the den if we all joined together to write one poem a piece on this day to day threat to life and limb, we could not only send a strong message but also perhaps raise some much needed funds for these victims. Sorry for rambling just an idea.
Great write as always Alexandra.
Writer extraordinaire ... I have been through several seasons in my life where I felt as if I had given up on life, my dreams, and the pursuit of them. We as humans all have different degrees of tolerance - how much the battery can put out without being recharged - to the spiritual and physical war that rages around us.
This morning the lead article on the inter-net was "What's wrong with our Children? The explosion of autism is raging now in this country. A terrible condition disturbing perceptions and relationships, and the ability to cope in the here and now. So many find comfort now escaping into a world of make-believe, rather than coping with real people in the here and now.
Your provocative and seering imagery has captured these poor unfortunates - that beat down condition that affects the soul - with heart-rending accuracy.
Keep your eyes focused on the goal, and always minister to those gifts that God has lavished upon you dear friend. Some day a great LIGHT will break through from the East.
This is a profound and timely write, I have saved it. Blessings to you ...
Gripping and soul-searing. I think Karla has said it better than I can. Yet another fascinating facet in your reportoire of faces, Alexandra. Love and warm {{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}},
Leland
A few words jumps to the readers eyes and intertwine to form a phrase which make sense not only to the abused "...purpose of touch patiently..." the "...intimate stranger shadow..." that, as "...space, stares vacantly into her eyes..." lies "...lifeless in..." her own.
Gripping account of someone beaten.
Georg
Very sadly, I have met many such souls, and many of them had been witnesses to, or participants in, war, and war truly is a hell that many, once in it, can never escape, no matter how hard they try.
Not your usual: this one hits hard; this one hurts; this one makes one uncomfortable, because they've known 'her;' perhaps they...are...'her.'
Amazingly penned sadness in lines such as, "pleas that have run out of lips," and "her hands, with a lifeless of their own...knead herself down to flat bread" are especially shattering, because you capture the very horror of abuse and its affects.
Soul-jarring; too many live this nightmare every waking moment; you've penned a p o w e r f u l one today, (((Alexandra))), I pray you are alright--
Suspenseful and close to home, Rain of Deception 2 will leave you in Tears. Much like Part 1, this will shocking sequel will keep you on the edge of your fingertips.
Suspenseful and close to home, Rain of Deception 2 will leave you in Tears. Much like Part 1, this will shocking sequel will keep you on the edge of your fingertips.
Rovella is a beautiful woman with a cold heart whom blames herself for an unfortunate old family secret that is literally ruining her life. This secret impedes a gorgeous woman from having happiness in her childhood, and throughout her life. Dark sec
Share
Print
Save
Follow
It is such a dark space where light can never seem to penetrate. Great write my friend.
What a perfectly open and honest view of the "ugly" side of the human condition. Whether by social, cultural or religious indoctrination, many individuals have come to regard themselves as "lesser beings" and thus "deserving" of being treated in a less than human way. What is it about these social, cultural and religious groups that make them feel they have the "right" to believe they are better and thus have the "right" to impose their beliefs and their very will upon other individuals? No one has the "right" to demand submissiveness from another. As you and I know, we wouldn't even think of demanding such a thing from our horses or to even think we could whip them into obedience. We earn their respect by respecting them and this has brought us more success than those who adhere to a philosophy of dominance. Common respect is a thing most lacking in our world today. The concept of "live and let live" is seen as a sign of weakness and, as we know, only the strong survive. Some believe in serving only the self rather than also serving others. Truly, the greatest joy in this life can be derived through our service to others. Humanity, as a whole, must begin to rise up against those individuals and institutions which promote the thought that one being is "superior" to another. Whether it's males versus females, muslims versus jews, the U.S. versus Iran and on and on and on. Let us discard this foolishness and embrace the concept that we all have equal value in the eyes of our Creator. Let no one believe that they are more or less "worthy" than another, especially within the framework of basic rights and basic needs. One cannot believe in such an enlightened and civilized philosophy while also believing that it is acceptable to abuse another in any way.
Sorry for rambling but this subject really infuriates me. Thank You for such a well-written piece that shines light onto the ugliness that cannot be ignored.
Beijinhos,
Teu Joseph
Be safe,
Karen
Great write as always Alexandra.
Fee
Writer extraordinaire ... I have been through several seasons in my life where I felt as if I had given up on life, my dreams, and the pursuit of them. We as humans all have different degrees of tolerance - how much the battery can put out without being recharged - to the spiritual and physical war that rages around us.
This morning the lead article on the inter-net was "What's wrong with our Children? The explosion of autism is raging now in this country. A terrible condition disturbing perceptions and relationships, and the ability to cope in the here and now. So many find comfort now escaping into a world of make-believe, rather than coping with real people in the here and now.
Your provocative and seering imagery has captured these poor unfortunates - that beat down condition that affects the soul - with heart-rending accuracy.
Keep your eyes focused on the goal, and always minister to those gifts that God has lavished upon you dear friend. Some day a great LIGHT will break through from the East.
This is a profound and timely write, I have saved it. Blessings to you ...
Light and Wisdom and Love ...
Leland
Gripping account of someone beaten.
Georg
Not your usual: this one hits hard; this one hurts; this one makes one uncomfortable, because they've known 'her;' perhaps they...are...'her.'
Amazingly penned sadness in lines such as, "pleas that have run out of lips," and "her hands, with a lifeless of their own...knead herself down to flat bread" are especially shattering, because you capture the very horror of abuse and its affects.
Soul-jarring; too many live this nightmare every waking moment; you've penned a p o w e r f u l one today, (((Alexandra))), I pray you are alright--
((((HUGS)))) and love, Karla. :( *tears*