Emotional abuse; what we say and how we say it to others, particularly those who are closest to us, is a twisted way to showing "we care". Someday, that table is turned, and it comes back to us. Ouch!

Terms of Abuse

I tell little stories
Of life, death and bravery,
Unlimited options
To counteract slavery,
Of the words, thoughts and actions
Created by men,
May my stories reveal
The abuse once again.

On a personal level
It's a look at the past,
On a day by day basis
It goes by so fast,
That you have to watch closely
To see the threads of misuse,
Human lives are at risk
In terms of abuse.

Was it something you said
To your spouse in the morning,
A cutting remark
That sliced without warning,
Your shirt had a wrinkle
Or she drank all the juice,
Your complaints, so unloving
This is emotional abuse.

Later, at work
To your employee you say,
"You're doing it wrong
So do it my way",
Your demeanor is threatening
Like a tightening noose,
You're dishing it out
In heaps of abuse.

A buddy at lunch
Whispers, "Hey, did you hear,
That chick over there
She really is queer",
Like the sinking of ships
By the lips that were loose,
Words of gossip, my friend
Are a form of abuse.

At home after work
As a husband or father,
Your daughter says, "Daddy"
And you say, "Don't bother",
You sleep on the couch
Because sex was refused,
Wondering why you're the one
Who gets so abused.

Fibril_late. 11/04