Aug. 30, 2021

Oh, the Shoes... (Connie J...)

(The picture is the project I submitted to the AADV Art Exhibit, this past Saturday.)

I wrote this poem, below, to be an entry in the Exhibit. It was not meant to be, so here it is, anyway:


OH, THE SHOES...

Oh, the shoes that the people wear

Trying to just fit in; having perfect hair 

All the hoops that are jumped
Barely able to get by 

Many just give up, as they lay down to die 

Now, that doesn't happen to everyone 

Some people fight it, til their life is done 

Taken away by someone, "in their right" 

Their relationship goals
To have a partner to fight 

With, and dominate - this isn't the way 

It is supposed to be, on the day that you say 

"I do." "I'm committed." "We shall never part." 

But they messily rip out, and stomp
On the heart 

Of the one that they "Love"!!!
"No else loves you more!!!" 

"No one else will have you!!!"
"DON'T you walk out that door!!!" 

But some do, and that 
Is THE most dangerous time 

Because, 
The one that is left behind 

Grows angrier, less rational
Fear and anger take over 

That their secret will be known
So they stalk them, and hover 

Staying just out of sight
Til that moment presents 

And they come out, and fight
Growing more and more tense 

Often to the death, 
Of all involved 

They feel that this "problem" 
Cannot be resolved 

So they take drastic measures
To make sure THEY don't lose 

And if the children survive
They just pick up those shoes 

And keep on walking
Perpetuate, that cycle of abuse 

Which, at times, I am sure
Feels even more like a noose 

Not a way to live
Need to break that "Curse" 

But until they realize, that
It's more than just "words" 

That true healing CAN come
It is NOT the easy route 

You must fight EVERY DAY
And keep sharing what you're about 

You're a Survivor, and know 
That you deserve more 

No more walking on eggshells 
And being told you're a whore 

So until more can stand up 
And take back their lives 

We stand in that gap 
And daily we strive 

To spread the Awareness 
That this isn't the path 

That they have to walk on
Til thru this nightmare they pass 

We are here for you
And will be, unto the end 

When you can stand, 
And YOUR hand, will extend 

To help the ones rising 
Up behind you, to heal 

And know that "love" is not 
Just a weapon to "yield" 

Keep walking, designing
The shoes that YOU wear 

So Domestic Violence is NO LONGER
The burden YOU bear... 

Connie R Jordan...
Completed 101020
Based on AADV Art Exhibit 2021 theme, #walkinTHEIRshoes 

Have a good day, and be safe... #ENDtheSILENCEofVIOLENCE ***www.ozerministriesinc.com*** #walkinTHEIRshoes #EtSoV

*October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Please share this, no matter what month it is, to help get the word out. The Victim has to make the choice - but, "What If..." they read something you sent them, that makes the difference? #walkinTHEIRshoes 

*I will be sharing a "What If..." post on the first Monday, of every month. I would love to share YOUR "what ifs". Please send your "What If..." ideas to Connie J... - beamererin@yahoo.com; or through Ozer, at the website or email, ozerministries@att.net.