Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Three Word Wednesday- Flowing through generations

Habitual, adjective: done or doing constantly or as a habit, regular; usual.

Illustrious, adjective: well known, respected, and admired for past achievements.

Jumbled, verb:  mix up in a confused or untidy way.


The raised voices
Habitually 
The reverberating sound
 Of flesh hitting flesh
Illustrious
Woman’s soft heart
Used to forgive and forget
Broken
The children their minds jumbled
Learn
The responses given

The boy child grows up
Fiercely
To repeat his daddy’s crimes
Boldly

His wife cowering in a corner
Beaten

His children fearing his wrath
Reconditioned
The girl child thinks it’s normal
To be beaten and cursed
Her job in a relationship
To make everything nice
To turn the other cheek
So it can be 
Struck 
Again

Behind closed doors
The secret remains
It cycles through generations
Again 
And
Again

It’s time to speak up
Teach our children
In communities in schools
If violence is not permitted
No raised voices in school
Then violence against women
Is 
Forbidden 
Too
For only through condemnation
Can the violence be stamped out
Beginning in the minds
Of the next generation
Who can be better than us
And teach society

The way to behave
To loved ones
Is with 
Kindness 
And 
Love.

 ©Sheilagh Lee November 25, 2015

6 comments:

  1. A good lesson for a hopeful future.Nice poem.

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  2. Responses given - often without need of words...is very resonant...i hope the cycle stops if only in choosing not to bear another generation into such hardship...sensitively and powerfully written Sheilagh - thank you

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  3. Excellent poem...well written...I agree with all the thoughts you express in this poem. Well done!

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