Tags
Domestic violence, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Original Poetry, The Sunday Whirl, Violence and Abuse, Wordle
The Door-to-Door Salesman
“Excuse me, Madam, I see you’re a housewife!
You’re lucky! I have some great things for you -
Improved this year – to make your wife-life
Almost pain-free! A breeze through and through!
Have you ever thought that each chore you don’t finish
Is subtracting the fun from your husband’s marriage?
Doesn’t the master of household and home
Deserve a wife he need not spurn nor disparage?
Now, pardon, ma’am, but most housewives are ignorant
Of our products – sure to make man’s life easier.
Allow me to enter and show you my wares – Look!
This one will keep your cheese tasting cheesier!
As hard as, I know, that is to believe
Lady, you ain’t seen nothing yet!
With my magic gadgets in your kitchen drawers
You’ll never plead “headache” or play “hard-to-get!”
You’ll never again feel days stretch to months,
And each year feel like it’ll last an eternity.
Just see all I’ve got – you’re sure to want it
Each one guarantees you a life of modernity.
I have more than tools, I’ve got balms and salves
This one, for instance, will take out the sting
Of those nasty cuts and black and blue marks
Oh dear! Your man must have one “killer” swing!
You’ll see! Once he knows how much nicer your life is -
(Look how easily this gets the zest off the rind) -
You’ll be more relaxed – have more time for him
He won’t need to “teach you,” he’ll be more kind.
Put an end to your problems the safe, easy way!
With the right tools to be a good housewife,
Sometimes you can get back that nice man you wed,
Who plays with his children and not with a knife.
Hey Lady! Are you crying? Is it something I said?
The life of a housewife I know can be tough -
‘Specially on hot summer days like today is,
In fall’s cooler weather, he won’t be so rough.
Buy my tools, keep your house up, be silent and meek;
The kids must be quiet – mind their P’s and Q’s;
Don’t interrupt while he’s watching his ball games;
And remember he loves you – it’s not really abuse.
The National Coalition Against Domestic VIolence
I never dreamed that I would end up with a poem on domestic violence. The words just led me in that direction, and I went along with them. In any event, I’m taking this opportunity to cast a little light on an organization that works 24/7/365 against a horrible crime: The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Take a moment to click on the link and visit their site to learn more (the door-to-door salesman of the poem certainly needs an education!) about the consequences of such acts not just upon the individuals involved, but upon society as a whole. I believe that we have all had enough. . .
This is incredibly powerful, Paula… but took me back into a past where i felt unbelievably powerless… In my book you get top marks for this wordled poem (not that it’s a competition), for the much-needed message but also for its poem-value.
Thank you Ruth. Coming from you that means a great deal. As far as poem value goes, I just reread it, and saw all kinds of edits that need to be made, but that will be for another time – a least it won’t be any time soon!
Thank you again for you kind words.
OMG! Such power here! Thank you for letting the Wordle words take you in this direction. Yes, thank you.
A Brief Whirl
Thank you very much, MMT! I also appreciated your beautiful work with this Wordle. It was a surprise to me – so I imagine God had a hand in steering me that way!
simply amazing poem.
Thank you, Cathy! And thank you for checking out and following my photo blog too!
Paula- first time visitor here and wanted to thank you for this weeks words.”Housewives” seemed to be a real driving force in the selection this week. For all the years of moving in the direction of equal rights and away from domestic abuse,there seems to be a collective memory of past and ongoing injustices.
Your poem highlights the “good old boy” mentality toward domestic violence…minimizing the abuse and saddling the victim with the blame. I had no intention of going on like this- but there it is.Thank you for your poem.
Owing to the length of the comment I left on your blog, you could go on for several more paragraphs and still not outdo me!
I am so glad you came by, because through you I have become a member of Small Stones, and Writing Our Way Home! It is so sad to me that domestic violence is still the huge problem that it is, and that it remains a point of shame for the sufferers of it rather than a reason for them to shout it out and get help. What really gets me though, is that statistically, I am bound to know several people who go through this, and I don’t know – I am completely unaware.
Thank you for your visit! Please come back!
I’m BACK…..! and I have already added you as a friend over on WOWH.
Oh, goody! See you there!
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People need to learn from someplace how to be decent spouses and parents. Churches used to be the forefront but there was often a veil of silence throughout society, A wink and a nod at much of it and reputations to protect. Now we are just replacing that with political correctness and litigation. People need to know where parenting and marriage classes are and they should not be in the schools or public offices. Do we need lessons to get a driver’s license? Where are the abused and the abusers getting their required course work for family life?
Great comment, Doug. Instead of reply to it here, I created an entire post out of my “rant” on the issues involved! SO, thank you! Here’s the link to the post.
It is indeed alarming how much violence is hidden. Even in places where you would not expect to find it. I know that I have seen in Congregational rest rooms notices with phone numbers to call to escape abuse. You would think that service would not be needed in houses of worship. But even in rural Pennsylvania there is knowledge of spousal abuse among the Amish. I think this poem would make an excellent addition to any material given to both women and men in the educational cause of enlightenment concerning spouse abuse.
On a different note, my wordle is here:
http://julesgemsandstuff.blogspot.com/2012/07/sw-64-wordle-diamond-in-rough.html
Jules – I have tried numerous times to post comments on your blog about your Wordle submission. I even read and commented on yours before you read mine (for a change!) Unfortunately, Blogger and WordPress do not get along, and I simply cannot leave a comment on your blog! It just refuses. i have tried signing in as WP, and as Open ID – it won’d let me!
What I want to tell you is that I really loved your poem – both touching and humorous. I say three cheers for great molders of all sons and daughters!
A superb use of the words. Great job!
Paula, thank you for the words, and for this piece. You are casting light in an area that needs to to be illuminated. The link is appreciated, too. My first boyfriend was abusive, and I stayed with him far too long. It colored many of my later relationships. Lucky me, I got out before marriage, and found a good man later in life. Strong write. Thank you again.
Like I told you, Brenda – when I created that Wordle, I had no idea it would end up being for me what it became! You are very welcome if it helped. Wouldn’t it be great if all it would take to end domestic violence is for everyone to read this post, or others like it? But, as we both know, it will take a great deal more. I hope some will get the message and help us to end this awful crime.
Danger of abusers told in a common way, because that’s how common it is. Excellent.
Thank you so much. And you are right – it is all too common, and there are too many simplistic and idiotic “salesmen” out there who think in such common, worthless ways.
Very well said.
Thank you, Kris! Tough subject. . .
Well written and thought through; and on a very distressing subject. I am awed.
Isn’t it strange how these Wordles will take you in directions you never though you’d go? Thank you for the comment. I’m glad you appreciated it!
A tough word list and you used these words well. Very well written poem with a painful inner core.
Painful, indeed. Never thought when I created that Wordle for Brenda that this is what I would end up writing!
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Amazing where a poem can lead you, Paula, and a profound result here.
A scary subject, and something that is so prevalent, and so hidden. . .how many people do we know – and think we know well – are victims of abuse, or their children are? So sad!
Well written Paula. The same problems exist over here of course.
I understand about words taking you down their own road. That has happened to me as well.
Thank you for the thought
John
It is a very strange thing indeed – and a weird feeling when you are in the midst of it!
Great poem on a sad but real subject!
Thank you, and yes, it is a very sad and all to frequent problem.
What a powerful poem from a list of words that would have sent me to another place. This violence is worldwide. I’ve seen many societies that look at it as normal and the way it should be. When one shows a little kindness in these places one must be aware and know the traditions or real trouble can ensue. I’m still learning.
Your poems always touch me, Paula.
Eastern Asia is not known for treating its women well. It must be very hard to enact any sort of legislation that would help in such a seemingly male dominated society. But then again, it hasn’t been easy enforcing it here. Too much shame involved for many women to come forward.
Paula,
Kudos for reminding us of this too-prevalent problem that needs our vigilance. It crosses all sexes and boundaries but children are the worst hurt. You realize it, if the sirens stop on your block, it is not just made for TV fiction.
Your vignette is masterful.
Doug
Thank you Doug. Considering the statistics on spousal and child abuse, it is quite possible that we know, and think we know well, many victims of this crime. We really do have to be vigilant, and know how and when to ask the right questions.
Unfortunately the subject of this poem is all too common an occurance. You treated the subject with imagination and I can see why these words led you in this direction.
Well done.
Hubs
Thanks Hubs. It is an awful subject, and I often wonder how many people we know that are silent sufferers of this crime.