Victimized ( I.P. )

By skinner_jennifer

Mon, 05 Sep 2011
  • 2709 reads
10 comments
 

Tortured lessons are what I learnt that day,
the residence said a so called safe haven...
to howl at the moon would have been a safer bet,

madness resides in every corner,
I had to learn quick to survive
fear was not an option -
don't stare...lips shut tight,
only inner thoughts prevail -

nowhere to hide feelings...
smile or I just may cry... a
black cloud then to veil me -
like a clown my mask goes on,

hideous granny with knife at my throat...
glares angrily - beady eyed into my face,
"scum bag," with arrogance, she calls me,
I said nothing - just stared at the floor,

my purse went missing -
all my money gone...
her pimp came calling
down the fire escape
they were bound,
off to do business
the sort not allowed,

though fearful and frightened
in a strange kind of way...
these battered - tortured
victims... became friends and
companions, who helped to make
me the person I am today, in
that Womens Refuge so far away.

Certificate 15
Poem
Poems
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by MaggieG on
Jennifer, Might I suggest you flesh this out even more ? More often than not victimization does NOT make angels. It makes mean spirited people who wheel that horrendous cycle a little further down the line. But once in a blue moon... You find that human being who carries scarring lessons with a dignity, and grace. You speak of such in this piece, and I for one would love to know more Enjoyed this read, very much :)

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Hi there MaggieG, glad you enjoyed this piece. You know when I look back on those times, they were really hard, when I say those women made me what I am today, it's because of the hardship, that I appreciate what I have today, that I'm safe and secure now, with a loving partner and a son who is now in his late 20s. We have both been through so much and I'm writing a dear diary, so eventually when I get to that time in my life, I will probably write a lot more about the time I spent in the refuge, but it was in the early 1980s, a long time ago and although I've been through other situations, this was certainly the strangest. Thankyou so much for reading and the very nice comment, much appreciated. Jenny.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Hi there, Jenny, a brave and courageous write. A small typo in final stanza, should be 'tortured'. This stanza, particularly poignant:- "nowhere to hide feelings... smile or I just may cry... a black cloud then to veil me - like a clown my mask goes on," More than 'well done' on this, Jenny. Tina

 

Submitted by fatboy74 on
Very brave writing Jenny and a good read - Tina is right this is a more than well done. :-)

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Hi Tina, thanks for the help, I had a bit of a laugh at my spelling mistake, it sounded like they had been torched the way I spelt it, where would I be without you, thankyou so much. I think each bad thing that I've been through in my life, each obstacle I come up against, just makes me even stronger, I know it might sound strange, but those women did me a great favour, even though I didn't know it at the time. I suppose you could say it helped me wise up to the darker seedier side of life, which I hope I never have to experience again. Thankyou for reading and commenting, you know I always appreciate it. Have a good Tuesday. Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Hi there FB, I'm so glad you read this piece and could appreciate it. I suppose I have been in some even stranger places, now I look back, but this was the one that sprung to mind, when I thought of the IP. Thankyou for reading and such a nice comment. Jenny.

 

Submitted by oldpesky on
Good morning Jennifer, hope you are well. This took me quite by surprise, as did your comments below it. Like MaggieG I'd like to see more of this too, perhaps in a different form. You know I've been trying to get you back into story writing for some time. Could this be the one? Thank you for sharing this. I feel I know another bit about you now.

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
And a good morning to you to Oldpesky. You know I would love to write another story, even to complete the Indian story, but I'm sure you know what I mean, when I say I'm having writers block, although I'm in the process of writing a story, but again I'm unsure of the ending, but funnily enough an ending did come to me last night. I hope that the story I'm in the process of writing will be enjoyed, it's completely different from the 'Chosen Ones.' Thankyou for reading this and for your wonderful vote of confidence. Jenny.

 

Submitted by MistakenMagic on
Great poem, Jenny! But yes, maybe this would make a good one shot story? This is a brilliant character study nevertheless. Well done! Magic xxx

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Hello Magic, Thankyou for reading this, you never know since I'm getting feedback to write a one off story, may be I will, it's something I'll have to think about. I like your comment about character study, never thought of it like that, just happened to pop into my mind, as an I.P. Hope you are having a good week, and not getting to wet. Take care. Jenny.xxx