My fault she muttered
finger nails chewed to the bone,
dark glasses, head down.
Closed manicured fist lashed out
like too many times before.
Written for dVerse Poet’s Pub. Poetics today ‘with Mish, asks “Can you lend me a hand?” and prompts us to write about hands. Went to the dark side today….
lillian the home poet 
Oh you went the same way as I did on my second… hands can do so much damage…. and always it’s the bruised who blames herself.
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We need a differen “icon” from “like.” Yes — hands are powerful in so many ways and domestic abuse is something that too often hides behind closed doors and well manicured hands.
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Ouch, that hand hurts ~ That first line is telling of an abusive relationship ~ Beautiful tanka Lillian ~
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Thank you, Grace. Too often the well applied make-up, designer sun glasses, or manicured nails can hide what really lurks behind.
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I agree Lillian!
By the way, can you please email me at: sometimesg@yahoo.com ?
Thanks,
Grace
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Beautifully alarming, this.
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Thank you……two very different sets of hands here. And sadly, the one most “decorated and divine” is the evil one.
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reminds me of childhood
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I don’t know how to respond to this……I hope you are well and happy, my friend.
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I guess I figured I could relate to what you had been through. Unless this is fiction
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This scene itself is fiction….but all too true for so many. My mother had many many problems…and I witnessed and felt many of them. My dad was a quiet person…..not demonstrative at all. There was love in our household and that is what’s made me the person I am – choosing to share and show love. I think we are what we write…..and perhaps kernals of truth come out in even our fictionalized words. I hope to see you many more times……this “space” is so important and such an outlet for me….and for many. We are the words we choose.
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I agree, this is beautifully haunting..!!
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Thank you. Domestic abuse is something that lurks behind well decorated windows, smart suits, and soft hands. It can be so difficult to see….unless we really look.
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So much pain in this story. Keeping it short made an impact. Thanks for using the prompt to shed some light on the darker things in life.
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Thank you…….as I mentioned earlier…..very hard to use the “like” icon in response to a poem like this. Appreciate your kind words.
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One word. Wow! Yep, that captures it!
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Nice to see you Walt. Glad you felt the emotion of this one.
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Yes, the dark side! I can visualize those hands.
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Yes. The dark side comes to light…….would that it would in many instances……and healing occur.
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This is fantastic.
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Thank you!
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Hands like that leave deep, emotional scars. Well done, Lillian.
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Yes…..long after the scabs and bruises have healed, many hidden from view, the scars still remain for far too many.
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Bravo, Lillian. Life isn’t always rose-tinted – sometimes dark glass tinted.
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yes, sadly so.
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I love Tanka! Just taught my students and am expecting their poetry portfolios to be turned in next week! I know they won’t all be this polished, but some of them are actually finding out that they love poetry.
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Ah, that’s the most important thing! Teach them young that poetry can be fun! I always taught haiku first….then said, and if three lines just won’t do, try tanka! 🙂
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We did haiku, then tanka, and then renga – which they get a kick out of because once they pass their beginning along- it’s out of their hands and what comes back is a surprise.
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Cycles of bullied bullies
and abuse.. all a story
of empty souLs
frustrated
without
the ability
to Love..
somewhere
perhaps the
cycle is broken..
extended families
help in providing more
opportunities for Love..:)
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