What happens when the shelter's full
And winter's on its way
The neighbors point their fingers
"Why would anybody stay?"
He'll scream and cuss and beat her
In the house or in the yard
But how is she suppose to hide
With children in the car.
There are those that call her stupid
And there's those who think her strange
But the answers aren't so simple
As the seasons grow and change.
So as summer falls to autumn
And the trigger's got allure
She has to make decisions
For a treatment or a cure.
The agencies are culling since
Capacity's been reached
It's a devastating heartbreak
When the heart is levy breached.
Still, the crispness of the morning
Tells her things have got to go
With a colder wind a blowing
As the branches start to show.
Sure, she could call authorities
And he could go to jail,
But he would call a buddy
Who would get him out on bail.
So she has to call the services
That foster children's care
And make herself the villain
For the sake of child welfare.
And so it goes for mothers
When the shelters are all full
And the winter howls in distance
Past abusive autumn lull.
If she can stay a little longer
Through judgemental neighboring,
She can make it beyond autumn
Till the leaf flies into spring.
Author notes
It is only fall and many of our local women's shelters are already at full capacity with no room or funds for growth. Support your local shelters. It could be you if you weren't so blessed.
A contest entry
- Seasonal Poetry Wanted : Site Contest - Win A Gold Membership! by Kari.
1350 points, ended September 26, 43 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - prewrites. for my favorites ONLY. by sideways hourglass.
463 points, ended October 30, 53 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Reader interpretation and critical comment welcomed
Comments
1 - 10 of 10
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Grand
I work with Safe Homes here, and know just what you are saying. When a mama has the choice of putting her children under a bridge to live or giving them to DCFS for their own protection it has to break her heart.
To me you capture this "dead" feeling she must experience in the lack of passion about the decision. She simply does what she must do--dead to feeling.
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No legitimate criticism here. This is solid.
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Wow... I am astonished at this write. I can honestly say.. it is a wonderful explanatory write of what some of the women in this world deal with.. I am truly blessed. Definitley agree with the other ladies, Original thought for a seasonal contest. Wonderful
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Now this was a great poem with a unique twist! Lol. Thanks so much. I enjoyed how real you made it. The ending really caught me off guard..kinda reminded me of one of my favorite songs from Night Hope
Kari
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WOW! I am not sure how to comment on this! But I can tell you that out of all the poems I have read in this contest, which is at about 49 now, this piece had the most originality!! You went way outside the box and delivered brilliance!! While the words evoked sadness and the imagery was stark and real the quality of the piece was wonderful! Rhyme and flow was well done! Thank you for your very moving entry!
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Hood-Wink!
Talk about breaking my heart
I was bawling my eyes out by the end of this and I didn't know how to stop and went back to re read this ...
amazing poem
♥
Stay safe
~Manda
Apologies on the late Hood-Wink!
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HOODWINKED!
So poignant the message and so true. Abuse of all kinds has become the norm in this country, alas all over the world; speaks of these "end of days." Another fantastic write, awesome rhythm and rhyme, particularly my favorite form, enhanced with great visuals and emotion. This is worthy of the GOLD!
Much love in Christ, BonnieQ
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Darn that just blows that we live in the world we do, these shelters are some of these women's last hope for a chance to get back on track. Why is it always those at the bottom of the chain that have to be the ones who have to beg the hardest for a little redemption.
awannabepeot
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thanks for your comment on my poem. wow, this really got me thinking. it has a really nice flow, and still gets out the message.
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lovely poem...can relate...
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