HomeMust ReadPoetry Corner, July 2020

Poetry Corner, July 2020

Head Butt
by Natalie Williams

At six foot five, he made a lunge;
And smacked my forehead, as I wagged my tongue.
He later claimed it was just to scare;
at 5 foot two, my messages is clear.
No doubt about it. Outta here.

Away from him. My safety first.
With power like that; I’d need a hearse.
A head butt can be strong as fists.
No second chances For emotional fits.

Like twisted ear, or a ringed neck,
corrects a child. I did not fret.
But recognized what’s real and mean;
and took an action unforeseen.

Predictions are – they escalate;
accelerate to dominate
Fool me once, that we all see;
Fool me twice, that’d be on me.

Avoid, evade aggressive men,
Released from the cage. They’ll come again…

Can’t argue with Crazy. Nor, ignore a Hit.
A lesson learned. Detente with him.

They say he had a ‘thing’ for me.
Misinterpreting my kindness; he bad-talked me.
In Devilish rankour, I’ve come to see
The bully’s shame upon him; He gave no true apology.

Shall women speak and seek again?
Resolve: Reclaim our lives; and then
Perhaps live peacefully, with men.
Who are true fathers; husbands then

The stakes are high; the weapons fierce.
The lives of our descendants pierce.
These childish thugs who pass today
Do not meet muster; come what may
And so to women, and to men;
Avoid a sex war, if you can…

Good men, who hear and turn away;
might find no women there, for they
In failing to protect with Might,
you let these thieves pass in the night,

to harm weak others; then you’ve lost.
The trust. And your humanity’s cost
For who would marry; trust in you;
or call you father, if abuser too?

It’s the same old struggle In patriarchy.
But woman’s time has come, you see.
We had it once, we will again.
Control our lives; make other friends

And he who might usher threats must then;
in all non-violence, make amends.

Most Popular