On the Peg

A poem I wrote in 2021, deep in recovery from marital domestic abuse.

Photo by Andreia Cunha on Unsplash

Take her down a peg or two, why not three

She voices when the silence of violence is consented, contented

How to make certain that the truth is kept buried

In the mire of dead whispers and pleas that

Hold the red thread hidden and hiding

—

Take her down a peg or two, why not five

Strangled song rises through her channel as She -

Breathes

as though gasping

for air at the surface of

Remembering

Who She

Is

—

Take her down a peg or two, why not ten

The Flag Bearer flies, on wings of restitution

The tears in Her eyes hold the mirrors

That can tear down nations

—

The Deeper She goes

The Stronger She grows

—

So come on.

Take me down a peg

or two.