9/11 10 year tribute

I wrote this poem on the morning of 12th September 2001 - when we in Australia woke up to the horror that had taken place in New York.

I was on holiday in Mitchell, outback Queensland and had no television, computer or radio.... and to be honest I'm glad I didn't... otherwise I probably would have sat glued to it for hours watching and rewatching and traumatising myself in the process.

TERRORISM
Another day is dawning
as we wake upon this morning
and we're full of life and hope of what's to be
then we hear about the horror
many will see no tomorrow
in that land of freedom, hope and liberty

We're all shocked and stunned undoubted
God's laws have all been flouted
how can man commit such crimes against another
many thousands have been slaughtered
someone's sons and someone's daughters
sisters, brothers, husbands & wives, fathers and mothers

I fear that this will get much bigger
that these actions are a trigger
for an anger that's been bubbling deep within
as we retaliate with fury
and call for judge and jury
What has happened?
What have we seen just begin?

My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones in the attacks on 11th September 2001 or in any of the attacks/battles/wars since that have come about directly or indirectly as a result.

AS WE WEAKEN LEGISLATION

I see a major problem
looming as we move ahead
If we weaken legislation
More women end up dead

The domestic violence legislation
has been watered down and now
It's becoming more generic
by the minute and the hour

Violence is illegal
We all need to know that's true
and ALL should be protected
that includes both me and you

As long as we remember
the imbalance as it stands
You're disadvantaged as a woman
you still have more power as a man

Now this poem won't make me popular
Do you think that I don't know
There are many people in this land
Who would maintain the status quo

Yes, women hit their husbands too
but there's a difference in the strife
He fears he will be laughed at
She's frightened for her life!!

Repeating Cycles

This little boy is frightened
He's frightened for his life
He's seen his Daddy hit his Mummy
and now he's got a knife

He watches and he sees the hurt
they live with day to day
The pain too great for him to bear
But this he mustn't say

As he grows up with this violence
He makes a vow that he won't keep
He promises himself
That his wife he'll never beat

But this little boy grows angry
When his father hits his mother
and how will he vent his anger
If it's not to hit another

He meets a girl and falls in love
He's sure his love is true
But before too long he's hitting her
Now.... what is he to do??

MELTING THE ICY HANDS AROUND MY HEART

I've spent years now writing poetry
about the life that I have lived
of how the trauma has affected me
and the damage that it did

Now you may think from what you're reading
that my life was really bad
and indeed it was for many years
when I never could be sad

If the trauma isn't dealt with
and the feelings are not felt
then the icy hands around one's heart
are impossible to melt

There have been times throughout my life
when things happened and I'd smile
I looked like I was happy
I even fooled me for a while

But smiling doesn't mean I'm happy
and crying doesn't mean I'm sad
I did both these things to protect myself
all I ever felt was BAD

Now there are times when I'm connected
and a smile comes from my heart
and the tears come from the pain within
and I no longer live apart!!

PASS IT ON

....and following on from the last poem....

I gave to her the space
that she could be just who she was
I know the pain she carries
and I don't need to know the cause

I know enough from my own life
to know her pain runs deep
I have no need to fix her
So I'll just sit and let her weep

She came to me with grateful heart
She wanted me to know
How deeply she was thankful
I said "I'm glad it's so"

I didn't do it for her
I just sat and let her be
She cried and talked and cried some more
she needed to be free

If we can give another
the opportunity to be real
without advice and judgement
This is how we all can heal!!

GRATEFUL HEART

She gave to me the space
that I could be just who I was
She knew the pain I carried
and didn't need to know the cause

She knew enough from her own life
to know my pain's real deep
She didn't try to fix me
She just sat and let me weep

Thank you, thank you, thank you
were the words that I then said
"You've done for me a wondrous thing"
"You've helped to clear my head"

"It wasn't me that did it"
"It was you.... You are an Ace"
:I can't do for you what you just did"
"I just provide the space"

2001

DEPRESSION

This one is dedicated to anyone who has ever experienced the depths of pain and depression of living with unhealed emotional trauma.  Written in 2001

The pain like waves
it ebbs and flows
I do the work
and pray it goes

Addictions come up
I fear their cost
If I really indulge
All will be lost

I fear that I will lose myself
With backwards steps I'm over the edge
This pain too great, can I really bear?
What if I disappear?? Will anyone care???