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We have remained silent,
lounging in our attitude
of non involvement,
while atrocity has carved
its initials into the women of the world.
We cry when our feelings are hurt,
drink bitter tea and vomit disdain
on any listening ear.
“Woe is me” has become the accepted
mantra of the self- consumed living
in a narcissistic universe.
Where was our outcry when a young woman
was shot by the Taliban for demanding
her right to receive an education?
Across the world isn’t on our sidewalk,
yet it is the horror knocking at the front door
praying compassion and change will answer it.
The neighbor’s wall vibrates with violence,
but we only use our tongues for gossip.
We retreat into our insulation thinking
her pain is not our problem.
If not now, when will we speak?
When will we raise our voices
for more than an affront to
our selfish sensibilities?
It is time to scream, to send up a unified cry,
to rattle the cage of complacency
we have sequestered ourselves in,
because women are dying from our silence.
©Susie Clevenger 2013
March has been set aside by Woman Scream International Poetry Festival as the month to raise awareness through poetry about violence against women.
Woman Scream states their mission is to honor women and create a conscious calling against women’s violence for a culture of peace and to take self-esteem messages to women through artistic expression and poetry.
Today at Real Toads we are participating through our poetry in Woman Scream.
Comments
...atrocity has carved
its initials into the women...
This is so powerful, Susie. Thank you for spear-heading the Woman Scream initiative on Real Toads.
Thanks for the meaningful prompt Susie ~
I speak and scream, I am not complacent, but I am afraid to open my door more. AND it amazes me that women who have been carved dare to go back like Harriet Tubman to lead more to freedom. I am grateful to them.
This is the biggest truth that needs to be accepted and acknowledged and acted upon. Who will speak for them if not us, members of a so-called educated, civilized, progressive, modern society?
This is absolutely the need of the hour Susie. Well said.
"We cry when our feelings are hurt,
drink bitter tea and vomit disdain
on any listening ear."
Every woman is us, and if we don't cry out for ourselves, who will?
""We cry when our feelings are hurt,
drink bitter tea and vomit disdain
on any listening ear."
Bravo Susie for bringing this up as a prompt! I, too am grateful for those souls, who have sacrificed so much for the freedoms, we do have.
Thank you Susie! We can do more...
In my heart, I know this is how we can help. By writing, sharing information, and SCREAMING.
thanks.
Across the world isn’t on our sidewalk,
yet it is the horror knocking at the front door
we dont think about it when it is a world away but in the end we are all human...and when one suffers we all do...or should...
its initials into the women of the world.
WHY is it a shame to point a finger, why is it "embarrassing" to tell everyone what a horrible man did? Crazy, and I hope the "shame" can some day be placed where it belongs ... on the offending man.