I wrote this poem in 2019 in the run up to the 16 Days Of Action campaign which highlights domestic violence against women. For this reason I’ve given it a *** Trigger Warning *** I titled it Nobody’s Property I hope you find it a thought provoking read.
Nobody’s Property
When they meet at the dancing
he charms her, with silver tongued promises
a life beyond all she could ever imagine
he will be her hero
her prince, and her champion
as long as no man ever
gives her a second glance
she accepts his invitation to dance
Initally there are sparks,
they kiss all is bliss
though her friends have yet to be convinced
she is happy with him
and he treats her well
for now
but, after she moves in
the magic starts to fade
the wine and roses disappear from view
her mother and her pals told her
if something sounds too good to be true
then it usually is
on cold winter’s nights reality begins to bite
privately she can see all is not as she’d like it to be
he starts to tell her that her skirts
should sit below the knee
there are he says things only he is allowed to see
after all he is her man
he can’t have other guys casting envious eyes
on his property
her friends and family worry
she is becoming more reserved
she is not her usual self
they see a pattern emerging here
they know the difference
between respect and fear
and he has crossed the line
yet still she thinks the sun shines out of him
that she couldn’t live without him
when they raise their concerns
she is reluctant to listen
insisting that he is a good man
if only they’d give him a chance
then he gives her a slap
for contradicting his opinion
he didn’t want to hurt her
but she made him do it
yes his tantrum was her fault
in the world according to him
she forgives him at first
till the violence gets worse
and her friends realise
the black marks beneath her eyes
are not from badly applied mascara.
as she claims
ashamed by his conditioning
she stays for a while
hoping she’ll be the one to change him
till eyes run like rivers
and smiles are no more than memories
swept away on a tide of tears
Eventually she faces her fears
knows she has to leave
finally locking the door on abuse
she can be herself again
as she remembers, she is a woman. she is nobody’s property
© Gayle Smith 2019
Skirtingroundmylife 