Lesbian Poetry

Battered Faces

(I am a relief case worker at a battered women's shelter and see pain on a daily basis. Thought I would share some of what I see!)

Battered faces come to me.
From abusive partners they do flee.
You can see the pain and feel their despair.
They come to me with this pain to share.

What can I do, what can I offer
to these women who believe their life is over?
A caring ear, a gentle voice.
But will this alter their final choice?

Six weeks at the shelter to start anew.
Caseworkers, counselors and legal help, too!
Yet many will return to their long-time abusers.
Crippled by fear, thinking they are the losers.

Black eyes, blue skin and bloody noses.
Stripped of their confidence before they know it.
Afraid to leave, afraid to stay.
How did their life just slip away?

Somehow, some way we must intervene.
Introduce knowledge they've not yet seen.
To help them make better life decisions.
To empower them with self-respect and wisdom.

His volatile behavior keeps her so confused.
First she's loved, and then she's used.
Kept within her abuser's spell.
Away from loved ones, in her own private hell.

Years of torment have stifled her spirit.
And all her hopes and dreams went with it.
And all this time, the children bear witness.
Now the next generation of victims will be with us.