Arriving at court
He’s the first person I see
Instantly shaking
I enter the Safe Room
Don’t want to be here
But I must
Surrounded by other women
Similar stories
Just as anxious
Hands shaking
Called out to another room
The prosecutor wants to talk
Go over my statement
Application for AVO stands firm
Back to the Safe Room
…but first
It’s Murphy’s Law
It’s only a few steps but…
There he is
I come face to face with HIM
His family by his side
Avoid eye contact
Walk around them
Start shaking again
Knock on the door
Silently praying
Open, open quickly
I need the Safe Room
Now!
Don’t want to be here
But I must
I’m in, I’m safe
I’m shaking
Have a smoke
I know I shouldn’t
Have another one
Calm those nerves
Along come DOCS
Questions
More questions
Reassurance
Its okay
I’m a wonderful mother
They said so
So it must be true
Reassurance makes the tears flow
Now it’s time…
Time for court
I don’t want to go
Don’t want to see HIM
His family and his friends
Eyes boring into me
Trying to intimidate
Too late
They already have
But it’s okay
I’ve been saved
I don’t have to go
I can stay in the Safe Room
I am safe
Cup of tea, black and sugar thanks
Another smoke
I know I shouldn’t
It’s the waiting
Waiting to know…
Am I safe when I leave?
Finally
Yes I am
I am now protected
…I hope
Opening the door
I step out into the corridor
I look back
I thank God for the Safe Room
Author notes
AVO - Apprehended Violence Order
DOCS - Department of Community Services
In a list
A contest entry
- I want it raw by Travel Notes.
600 points, ended September 14, 2008, 13 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 10 of 10
-
Humm..very touching..ane very beautfully stated journey of this life..brings many querries but all is life..thanks for sharing...
-
i have seen the effect violence abuse and mental attacks over time have on people, they try to get out, and are seductively drawn back, some escape to start anew life and heal the scars tattooed within some dont, forever lured back. this poem is a life giver, a path was taken a chance to escape one final testomny, and hopefully freedom, to face ones abuser is the hardest thing to do for many, i can not relate, but i have seen the effect, worse still found im helpless to interfere as for some reason i come out as the bad guy, well in the past, now i stay out of it, unless friends come to me, i cant say i like it, but unitl they break the chain, they will never be free.
this poem shows a chains price and the fight to be free, very emotional, and yet very powerfully written, showing a side of reality many people face both male and female, i hope you find someone who truely love and cares for you, and win free of the safe room you have found a need to hide in.
-
intense
Ar'nt you so lucky to be able to have a smoke. Yes , those eyes. Unreal that they don't have any compassion any more eh? It's like the enemy camp vs the good guys. Dog eat dog. What a shame. All I can offer ,is a tight hug. mmmhhffff kisses. A
-
The jolted lines allow the reader to witness, first hand, the nervousness. I can't say that I've experience these emotions in this very siutation but I do know those feelings of aniexty and insecurity. Well scribed. I wish you well in the contest.
Much Love ♥
Renee
-
-
Thank you Renee, I appreciate your understanding and your kind comment.
-
-
Annie this is so heart wrenching, Its so real, yet i don't want it to be and i can't compehend how on earth it must have felt.
-
Great job. I hate domestic violence. I know yours is real. I had a false charge of domestic violence leveled against me to start the divorce case. It was quickly thrown out. Up here they are automatically granted upon request. It is a divorce tactic used order to secure the house for the offended woman.
-
-
Thank you my friend. I'm sorry to hear that you had to go through what you did...it sounds very unfair. Unfortunately yes, mine is very real and despite being just one day after court, my ex rang tonight and was abusive toward me and then spoke badly about me to our children. The problem with AVO's is that although they are meant to help, they are very hard to police in the real world.
-
-
This is very powerful and very touching my friend!
-
-
Thank you John, it's not an experience I would like to go through again.
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 10 of 10
