In a show of power,
he struck her down,
hoping she’d cower
from his bully shout–
you’ve been warned,
and must be punished,
this is what it’s all about,
you’ve violated the rule,
no, I’m not cruel,
you’ve been warned,
now take your seat,
(before I knock you down).
History’s age-old tale–
oh, she may flail–
but the shrew must be tamed,
and men are not to blame
if women do not listen–
(do not talk back,
you’ve been warned,
now I’ll teach you a lesson).
With words and whips,
with zippers unzipped,
with laws to subjugate
(it’s a mandate),
victors write the history,
how the story will be told,
but might is not always right,
so, sit tight–
though warned,
nevertheless, she persisted.
This is for Secret Keeper’s Writing Challenge.
This week’s prompt words were:
Power/Show/Thought/Love/Write
How very timely. “She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.” will go down in infamy. You did a fantastic job capturing the emotions that are whirling around us all. Thanks.
Thank you, Janet!
This incident, along with, all the horrible rape stories I’ve been reading–I just had to get it out.
Brava!!! I think old Mitch gave us a good rallying cry, one he is never going to live down.
On a more serious note, yes, still we persist. In spite of it all.
Thank you, Robin.
I hope he doesn’t live it down. I really think he is a despicable human being.
And yes, we still persist.
Extra like. You said it well.
Thank you very much, Claudia!
this is wonderful, yes, a rallying cry. We will not sit down.
Thank you very much, Holly. I just had to get this one out today. 🙂
I really love this Merril
Thank you. 🙂
This was brilliant!
Thank you so much, Dale!
The actual public incident is sickening and disheartening, Merril.
I have heard this story (in private form) almost one hundred times. I used to be the child advocate at a battered women’s shelter in Lancaster, Ohio. I heard the stories from the mothers in the intake paperwork.
Later then, I had the privilege to listen to the other victims, the children. They sadly, tend to be able to describe more than expected, usually simply and to the point.
What was upsetting about the “public story” is now snowballing into a horrified state. The atmosphere is “tainted” by an out of control “leader.”
Thank you, Robin.
You’ve had lots of different jobs. There are just so many things going on–and I had to get it out today. I hope the Republicans face a YUGE backlash.
I suspect any woman who says she’s never experienced this, even a little bit, is probably deluding herself.
Yes, I agree! I felt it was so disrespectful and am so discouraged. Elizabeth Warren deserved to be heard. I appreciate your post today!
Thank you!
It’s interesting that the more they attempt to silence everyone, the louder the backlash…I hope we can keep the energy up.
Have you read Rebecca Solnit’s “Men Explain Things to Me?” so relevant right now…(K)
Thanks, Kerfe. Yes, I hope we can keep up the energy, too.
I haven’t read the book–though I’ve heard of her–and I think heard it on NPR?
Possibly. It’s really good…well, she’s great on everything I think.
All the more to keep rallying against these idiots. Good on Elizabeth Warren for standing up to him … and all of us who do who see bullying in one of its many puerile forms. May her story (and all the others) go down in history .. Great post Merril thanks.
Thank you, Susan. Yes, I agree.
So apt
Thanks. Yes, unfortunately.
We have Trump to thank for emboldening an attitude looking for validation.
I’m not sure what that means. 😉
And in the ensuing confusion chaos reigns.
So well done. I think the sing-songy rhythm and sounds are perfect here to reinforce the taunts of bullies, the “rules,” the “way things are done.”
Thank you very much, Jennifer.
This was one of those poems that just kind of came out–well, you know why. 🙂
Thank goodness we have words. xo
Yes!
I like the way this flows, Merril, and it sums up a news story I recently read… I’m not sure if the news report was mis-reported, but I got an impression of ‘know your place’. Well written, Merril.
Thank you very much, Tom.
I don’t think the news was mis-reported.
Yes! I admire Elizabeth Warren very much. I was also wondering if you were going to write about that incident, and I was happy to read it today on your blog. Eloquent, as usual, Merril — you are amazing!!
Awww–thank you, Rose.
I’m kind of amazed that you thought of me and wondered if I’d write about Elizabeth Warren. It was a sudden poem that came from the heart. 🙂
You’re a delight and vocal, yet classy how you write about the insane politics happening in our great nation. Thank you. I blow off steam when I visit. 😘
Awww–you’re so sweet. Thanks. 🙂
”Tis true. 😊
🙂
Beautifully written. Sad, yet so real.
Thank you very much, Hélène!
Five small words, most of them monosyllabic, provide a mighty channel for heartfelt venting – from you and your commenters.
Thank you, Marian.