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Wednesday, October 20, 2010

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month


Domestic Violence

History echoes the screams of women--
violated, abused, ravaged.
Some have heard the death knell--
the last sound ever.

Others live in fearful isolation
with humiliation and pain
endured through many years
silently suffering, lost, nowhere to turn.

Survivors live in seclusion
detached
distant
distrustful

The seclusion every suffering animal craves
to be let alone
to lick their wounds
to heal.

Barbara Baskin 2010 

15 comments:

  1. wonderful post barbara, you couldn't have said it better!!!

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  2. This is brilliant and so brave of you to write. Amen to every single word! Hugs!

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  3. Thank you so much Lorilynn and Jonie!

    As you both know, I was a victim for 18 years, escaped 13 years ago, and have struggled to become an independent strong woman since then. It's still a work in progress! :)

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  4. A very powerful statement! You are courageous and strong not only to survive such horrible circumstances, but also to be able to talk about it as well.

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  5. I guess we'll be a work in progress until we get to heaven! ... giggle ..
    Having said that, you are a very strong independent lady, let me remind you very gently where you were all those years back when we met, ok? And how far you have come since then :-)))

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  6. Mike, thank you so much! It took many, many years before I could 'get it out there' and I'm so glad I did. I found many who supported me and gave me the strength to grow and to become myself. I only hope I can do the same for others.

    Jonie, I couldn't have done it without you. You are my biggest, most reliable, most understanding supporter. I will never forget that!

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  7. such bravery you show. Bravo for this!

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  8. (((Barbara))) and I could not have done it without you!!!

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  9. Thank you so much Neva! :)

    (((Jonie))), my friend! :)

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  10. What an excellent post! I wish everyone in the world could read it! Good for you!

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  11. Thank you so much, montucky! I wish everyone in the world could read it, too, and make changes to stop it! It's a shame we even have to have a recognition month for it!

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  12. Your poem as well as some of your images such as: http://3bdigitalart.blogspot.com/2009/09/girl-within.html, tend to reflect an inner hurt/feeling/longing. A rotten shame it is folks can cause pain and feel no regret for what they did. It is a shame they can sleep good at night without any remorse for their actions. It is a shame they will wake up refreshed and repeat their actions over and over again. Take refuge in knowing others know and understand.

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  13. Thank you so much, Preston, for your understanding! While I have been free for 13 years the trauma remains an issue for me on occasion and I, sometimes, deal with it in my images and poetry.

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  14. Barbara, bless you. Thank you for sharing this and speaking out. Bravo!

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