Calling all poets! I receive dozens of poems from women each month and just a few from men. Anyone who reads my blog at The Last Straw knows that poetry can heal a broken heart.
First I want to thank the many readers who have already sent me poems, they should all be posted here by now. All of the poems found here will eventually find there way to a new blog just for poetry at Poetry on Violence and Healing
I am putting together a free ebook to be given away on this site and others that contain poetry from others who have dealt with domestic violence/abuse. My goal is to empower women and men to get out of and to heal in the aftermath of domestic violence. Poetry from any point of view will work. I am really in need of uplifting poetry as well and poetry from a man’s point of view.
I encourage women and men, to share their poetry on recovery and surviving domestic violence. We feel so alone when we are in the abuse, during the aftermath my goal is to help others feel connected and far from alone. Your poem may be posted on someone’s desk someday and that poem may be the only thing that gets them through the day.
For the men out there, please help me, to help others understand, that domestic violence happens to men and hurts them just the same. I can not share your thoughts and feelings, I can only agree that it happens and you are of no lesser value in this horror because you are a man. If anything, your recovery and pain is more silent so please share.
No matter what sex or color or marital status you are a punch hurts just the same. I have created this blog to share only poetry and how it helps us all in the healing process. Please help me create a blog that allows others to heal and realize that they are not alone. Your poetry will do just that.
By leaving a poem here you are stating that you are the author and I have permission to post it elsewhere and to use it in several upcoming books. Poetry has helped me heal from horrific violence and pain and I know that it can help you too. By sharing your poetry you are indeed helping someone else who feels all alone to feel connected and heard.
Love & Peace,
Rebecca
Poetry left in this post will later be placed in the proper category for others to find it quickly. Please only share poetry that you have written out of respect for the authors. By sharing your poetry here you are giving me permission to share your poem on other blogs and to use it in upcoming writing projects, books and others items. If you post your name you will be given full credit.
Dear Colleen,
Thank you for sharing that poem with everyone, words can hurt and help heal.
Love & Peace,
Rebecca
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This poem was written for me, about my situation, by my best friend Annie.
The bruises fade but the pain still stays
She wonders how she let her life get this way
The father of her baby raises his hand
But what’s he know about being a man?
Just a twenty year old girl who grew up too fast
Fell in love and it didn’t last
Don’t give up on her
She’s got a lot to offer
This world’s not big enough for her dreams
Just remind her that life ain’t always what it seems
She’s struggling to find her place in this world
While doing everything she can for that baby girl
She never really had a chance to let herself grow
But if she’s hurting inside she’s not letting it show
Don’t give up on her
She’s got a lot to offer
This world’s not big enough for her dreams
Just remind her that life ain’t always what it seems
There’s a young girl inside of yourself
And if she could speak, she’d ask for help
You wouldn’t think it with the smile on her face
But she’s just learned to hold everything in place
If you could hear her thoughts you would know
That sometimes she wants to let it all go
Don’t give up on her
She’s got a lot to offer
This world’s not big enough for her dreams
Just remind her that life ain’t always what it seems.
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Dear Karla,
Thank you for sharing your poem, it was sad yet touching and heartfelt. Too many are left in the dust, it is time to come from it.
Love & Peace,
Rebecca
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A voice for the hopeless-
Sometimes she sits there asking why
banging the walls as the time passes by
thinking about how this time she will lie.
Quickly grabs her running shoes
running swiftly with nothing to lose
she can’t stop long enough to ooze.
Time and time again she fails to read the signs
they never had intentions of being nice
“don’t touch me”, she begs with her eyes.
Each offense creates a new fear
“no one will believe you” is all she hears
if only they knew how many tears.
She hurts in ways one cannot see
this is not how things are supposed to be
this time she knows she has to flee.
Falling quickly she seeks the pill
swollowing them all might kill
she needs time to stand still.
Fighting back makes things worse
gripping her shirt he makes her curse
she isn’t strong enough against his force.
How does he justify his words
it’s not like she can use her cords
this is matters for the Lord.
Someday they will see the Lord
He loves them on His own accord
there is no need for these swords.
There is more to life than what you see
many sit back and drink their tea
it is time for the world to take a knee.
How many times is this a must
girls like this need something just
many times they are left in the dust.
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Debbie,
Thanks for sharing that poem, very moving.
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Hi Rebecca.
I have a poem I hope you will like.
THE STRANGER IN MY BED
He is a stranger in my bed,
I really don’t know him at all,
When I like down next to him,
I feel like I’m next to a wall.
I don”t feel any love for him,
I don’t think I ever will,
And even if he wants to get close to me,
I just lie there very still.
By: Debbie
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Hi Debbie,
Thanks for posting your poem, it was nice. My favorite time of the year is new years, I am a big goal setter and it just makes me happy to have that new slate each year to begin again. Each year is better and better if you work at it. You can email/post here, they are private until I post them.
Love & Peace,
Rebecca
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Hi Rebecca,
I have a New Year’s Poem that I hope you will enjoy.
A NEW YEAR’S POEM
Another year has passed,
And a new year is about to begin,
Everything you put your mind to,
Will be accomplished and you will win.
Just look forward in your life,
And set your goals for the year,
Then have a glass of champagne,
And bring in alot of cheer.
So don’t look back at the past,
Believe this year will be the best,
All of your dreams are there for you,
Because you are so very blessed.
Happy New Year to all of you!
Please send me an e-mail. I would like to discuss something with you.
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Hi Rebecca,
I am going to write a poetry book relating to domestic violence and abuse. I think your readers will enjoy reading it. Please let me know what you think.
Debbie
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The Voice in the Dark
Darkness embraced my body
Chaos invaded my mind.
After it violated my soul, I waited for the evil lying next to me to loosen its grip.
I stared into the night.
Old man moon brought a dim light that illuminated the room.
My eyes adjusted, as I stared at the monster.
I watched it take slow peaceful breaths.
My hand caressed my silver savior that was locked and loaded.
My trigger finger toyed with it; all I had to do was pull.
I introduced my knight in shinning armor to the back of the demons head.
Suddenly I heard a voice in the darkness, whispering to me.
“Hold on just a little longer, your day of deliverance will soon come to thee.”
I fought to ignore it.
My conscience urged me to obey, so I surrendered.
Had I ignored the voice and allowed my will to win, my steel savior would have become my impending sin.
Tears flowed, my body shook and the dawn broke
The night of horror a distant memory
The daylight brought me one day closer to freedom
From the evil in my life that called me its lovely wife
A year has passed and I come home alone
No one here but my memories and me, but thanks to “the voice,”
I am recovering, surviving and free!
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It doesn’t matter if you get fatter. And it wouldn’t matter if you were “flatter”
What matters is your love of cats, your orange-rind snacks,
and your irretractable, burning lust for learning – cause that‘s what attracts.
So I’m going brains, or, bust. And while I’m yearning I must clarify; that this bust (.)(.) just ain’t enough for me.
I’d rather discuss Newton’s apple than new diet gluten-free Snapple,
so GIRLS! Get your mind off the scale, and for God’s sake it’s OK to be pale.
This focus on mass times gravity results in weighted depravity,
and fleeing from your skin tone leaves you even more prone
to cancerous tumors of unvanquished rancorous rumors:
“Am I too tan? Pale? Tall? Or too frail, too big, or too small?”
There’s only one correct answer that I’ve ever heard.
I wanna hear you say these three words:
I love me
I love me
I love me
but even ten thousand times a day doesn’t pay respect to the expectations I detect
and next time you inspect yourself, go more than skin deep and
keep dreaming, keep gleaming,
because from the head on her neck, to the souls on her feet, you’re the one that I seek.
And if you CoverGirl her up, I’ll peak right underneath,
cause anything other than the real you
just doesn’t fucking matter.
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Hello Mike,
Wow, did you write this? It was raw and honest. I would like to post in some upcoming writings and wanted to know if I give you credit. Thanks for posting.
Love & Peace,
Rebeca
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I’m Sorry Son
I want to say I’m sorry son
For all the things that I have done.
For hurting you in many ways,
I will regret them all my days.
All the hitting with my belt,
All the bruises, all the welts.
The names I called you without thinking,
My voice’s sound left your heart sinking.
Work could’ve been a bonding time,
Instead, I had you toe the line.
“Why can’t you be,” I always said,
“Like all the rest,” just like your Dad.
I said opinions did not matter,
Be seen not heard, or face my wrath.
If I had known what I had done,
How I was raised affects the one
I loved the best, the most like me,
I’d change it all and set you free.
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Debbie, thank you for sharing this poem.
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Hi Rebecca,
I have another poem that I hope you will enjoy. If you post it please let me know.
SHINE LIKE A STAR
Just like the star in the sky,
You too will be able to shine,
You just need to work very hard,
And everything will be just fine.
You will be so very blessed,
And you didn’t have to go very far,
You accomplished what you had to,
And now you are shining like a star.
Thanks,
Debbie
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Dear Debbie,
Thank you for taking the time to share your poem. I too think readers will like it.
Love & Peace,
Rebecca
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I have an inspirational poem that your readers might enjoy reading.
BE YOUR OWN PERSON
Be your own person,
You know who you are,
Enjoy what God has given you,
You just might become a star.
If you need to make a change,
Then you will certainly know,
You will be given a sign,
And you will see a glow.
Then that change will come to you,
You will prosper in every way,
And then you can go through life,
And be happy every day.
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..Your Heart Still Beats..
We, the Oppressed, behind closed doors
Have no energy to move while our eyes pour
Your mate has no conscience or feelings of guilt
His purposeless life is to have your soul wilt
While your heart fills with pain
More power he’s gained
You have no will to survive
In disbelief you’re still alive
Yet your heart still beats
And your soul he still eats
With every breath you take
You wish is the last you’d make
You wish you would die
Even thought you could try
But something up above
In the heavens full of love
Gives you the will to try
God’s there with every cry
God feels the pain inside
He’s right there by your side
Every single tear you’ve cried
He’s cried right by your side
Your lover’s undercover
The truth you will discover
That there’s life outside those doors
Awaiting peace from all those wars
All your friends thought he was great
They never knew your life at stake
All they saw was prince charming
They just knew he was darling
When the truth was exposed
He remained well composed
All these years you were ashamed
You felt as if you were to blame
Now that you have seen the light
And have began a brand new flight
Everyone thinks you’re crazy
The days ahead seem glazy
As you try to get away
He just stands in your way
He wants you to give in
And you want your pain to end
Yet you do not give up hope
But you’re at the end of your rope
Yet your heart still beats
And your soul he still eats
With every breath you take
You wish is the last you’d make
You wish you would die
Even thought you could try
But something up above
In the heavens full of love
Gives you the will to try
God’s there with every cry
God feels the pain inside
He’s right there by your side
Every single tear you’ve cried
He’s cried right by your side
One day and one day soon
You’re lover will see his doom
And the life you’re meant to live
Full of love that you give
The pain that you’ve suffered
Will soon become buffered
– Angel Chapman
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A Stalker’s Lament
A Stalker’s Lament
Too bad she knew
you’d read these words.
In order to surprise
her, you’d have
to disappear. Oh,
how unfortunate
that invisibility is
what you fear.
You peruse her friend
list and click on click on vaguely familiar names.
You post about your heart ache
on their walls. It’s so
sad that relationships
aren’t like instant breakfast
where all you have
to do is add water and stir.
Oh, if only everyone
lived by the rules of Never Never land,
and you are entitled to the entire
universe that re creates
itself in your reflection every morning.
A one dimensional universe
where personal responsibility and nos
are non existent. A land
of mirrored halls, where every
reflection is an image
of the person you pretend to be.
But you know
even all the compliments
and group hugs
will not add life
to those soul less eyes.
There is a broken neess
that can’t be fixed.
The worst dilemma
is that while
there might be a conquest
or a small victory
there is nothing to be gained.
There may be a conquest,
but no victory.
Those of us who live
outside of never never land
there are those who
live in a reality
where love is like poetry:
a process in constant
motion created
full of scars, shattered mirrors
and betrayals. Sometimes
it is gorgeous and terrifying
and often full of absurd,
and though it’s never easy,
she will have the last
word after all.
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This poem is for the compilation…
YOU CAN DO IT – I DID.
I GO DOWN.
First, it makes me numb…
Then the fear makes me dumb and I don’t know how to do anything…
But through my mind goes so many things.
Then inside it grips, grinds, and I go blind…
On the surface it terrifies and I try, oh try… to hide.
And to myself, I lie that it may stop.
But it always comes back (sometimes worse),
Too scared to cry… afraid I might die,
I’m lucky to be alive.
ESCAPE
Nothing new today, just another battle…
Behind doors, it’s ok –
It’s only me it will rattle.
Then on the lawn in front of the neighbours,
Friends drop in,
Children too…
This is not new,
This is not good,
But today it will stop.
So I pretend to go to the shop,
Dressed for it I stop at the door – and think I hear a whisper
“Please don’t go” a child’s voice – one I will remember forevermore.
But I know it has to be done.
And I walk to the shop,
Then I run.
SAFETY
I am lucky at last – but I don’t feel it,
The phone box is outside a surf life saver shack,
And for fear of being seen on the street – I use it.
“Can I use the phone?” I ask,
They see my split lip, hear my soft voice,
They get me the phone book fast.
Lifeline are helpful,
The domestic violence help line even more,
They call a taxi to my door.
They put me in a hotel for two nights,
Feed me, clothe me,
Get me to a town where I can survive.
Put me in a safe house,
For as long as I decide,
Council me, look after me,
And now I know – that everything will be alright.
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Ashton,
I sent you permission in a direct email.
Good luck,
Rebecca
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I am a highschool student and i was wondering if i could use your picture in a psa for my school’s student media festival… We want to inform everyone about how bad domestic violence it getting… and this picture just touches my heart.
This would be really apperciated!
Ashton Jinkins
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Wilma,
Thank you for sharing this poem. I accidently emailed you thinking you sent the email directly to me. I pray this in no way caused you any distress. I will be more careful when responding. I did let you know that the poem will be used in the upcoming projects and because you posted here is available to all readers.
God Bless.
Rebecca J. Burns
http://www.rebeccaburns.com
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This Black Hole :
I lived in this black hole
Darkness surrounded me
I never felt so low
I thought surely this can’t be
My spirit has been broken
My body black and blue
But i would keep on hoping
This just can’t be true
This is not happening
It’s only a dream
Love is not like this
Then i began to scream……
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