ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

COUP DE GRACE

The stage is set for conflict
The battle standards fly
The wounds to be inflicted
Not naked to the eye

But wound he will and deeply
The lesions never heal
Words dispatched like weapons
The blades so very real

No blood to stain the carpet
Just salt to sting the eye
No grave site marks the battlefield
The teardrops all will dry

Inside her soul is bleeding
The heart beat not so strong
The mind now dull and throbbing
The urge to leave is gone.

So vulnerable the victim
Defences all but spent
Await the final 'coup de grace'
Last act of pure contempt

But he prolongs her suffering
No merciful finis
This is the only life she knows
Her life reduced to this

Copyright (c) Allan Cropper February 2015

I must have missed this one when you posted it Allan but it's a very good IMO - a sad story that happens far too often

The old rhyme we used to say was " sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me "
It isn't true is it ?

we knew it as '...names will never hurt me.' and no it isn't true anymore, I think because too many people are too precious these days. The days of just get over it and get on with it are gone, the Adam Goodes and Anthony Mundines of this world have nullified that saying by wanting every name or criticism to be 'racist'.
Having said that I think Allan's poem is on a completely different track, there is a big difference between name calling and verbal abuse.
I think that most times when there is the type of abuse Allan's poem refers to it is more than just words.

You're right Ross, "names" That was a long time ago

Yes I was thinking the same as you Ross, verbal abuse. The old Biblical writer James said " no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison "

Thanks Maureen

I am glad you found this poem in the archives. It is a sad reality that does occur far too often.

And, yes, Neville and Ross, it goes far beyond name calling. The psychological and emotional abuse that some women (and men) are subjected to can destroy their self esteem and self worth, and can be equally, if not more damaging than physical abuse.

I missed this one too Allan. My first thought was that you must have watched the ABC last night (Hitting Home). There's clearly a lot of work to be done.

Heather