I Saw a Lady Cry Today

Some things just cannot be forgiven

   

   

I Saw a Lady Cry Today

By FlatDaddy

I saw a lady cry today
and tried to offer aid,
But there was nothing I could say
to comfort this poor maid.

The woman shook from toe to head,
and cold can make one cry,
But she looked bundled up for bed,
“Are you just chilled?” said I.

She howled as if someone had died,
And sharply she barked, “Sir!”
“You come when nothing’s left inside,
“when no one came for Her!

“You, sir! Yes, you have killed the world!
“Yet stand there looking proud!”
She shook her head, her top lip curled,
She sneered then laughed aloud.

“You left my daughter dead, defiled!
“Yet say you’ve never met!
“You never dared to touch my child!”
She turned, then hissed, “And yet …”

“That is the cause of all my pain,
“so you will rue this day!”
She whispered, “It’s all been in vain,”
loosed her fire -- and swam away.

Author's Note

There is little I can do to assuage the pain and fear so many of us here and beyond must deal with constantly. You know, fear is a great motivator. That being said, there are a whole lotta people out there who'll be running for the hills when we finally get it together and do something about how we treat each other.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

This is really deep. Some hurts can never be reversed. Abuse is the worst, especially this kind.
The rhyme scheme works really well.
Almost like a sonnet, but one with content that would make Shakespeare cry.
I like the risks you take with your work. And creating a poem with dialogue is daring, often does not work. Here it certainly does work.
j.

[FlatDaddy]

I had prepared a long speech about how the abuse we have been witnessing has reached fever pitch, and while we have to address it on a personal level and deal with the abusers, the rapists and killers, we must simultaneously take on Trump and his troop of fellow felons and worse. We writers must do what we can.

[ETERNITY]

FlatDaddy, Don't take this wrong, but isn't Trump trying to get rid of the rapists and killers that are in the U.S. illegally at least?

[FlatDaddy]

You are assuming his words reflect his actions, when the actual people that his ICE raids attack and deport are often here legally, have jobs, pay taxes and have never harmed anyone. One example of this was ICE agents on TV chasing down an older legal immigrant in L.A. who was working as a gardener outside a restaurant, tackled and beat him while he screamed (in English) that he had his papers to prove this. He also had two grown sons who were Marines (I saw photos of the three of them together). Very few of the people who are silently whisked away secretly are criminals or dangerous, and ICE has done this against the written orders of judges. A University of Texas student here in Austin who tried to surprise her parents for the holidays last week; she was brought to the US as a 7 year old, has done no rimes, but was seized at the airport and secretly deported to Honduras. Trump yesterday on TV, called US Congressman Omar and all of the 80,000 members of her Somali race living legally in Minnesota, "garbage," and is trying to get rid of them all. None of this is legal. This is what Trump DOES, not what he SAYS he is doing.

[ETERNITY]

o.m.gosh I had no idea. I do watch the news but I never saw that. I voted for Trump the 1st time but not after he flipped out Jan 6 because he was losing. Here I was thinking he mellowed with age. Sheesh.

[FlatDaddy]

Let me guess: I'm guessing the news you watch is FOX. They've been pushing Trump a looong time. Tryc MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), CNN, CBS, ABC,NBC, or any news magazine that isn't connected to FOX. Watch one of Rachel Maddow's many podcasts or catch her on Mondays, usually, on MS NBC.

[ETERNITY]

FlatDaddy, To answer your question, actually, I don't watch much TV. I see news on Facebook. Yeah, lol.

[FlatDaddy]

Do you think that will get you unbiased views? I just ask you to seek advice from various, proven sources and vetted scientific research.

[ETERNITY]

not "unbiased", FlatDaddy, just curious to know the deeper meaning.

[emmajoygreen]

'People who love people are... ' says the lyrics. Now they're being crushed by the venom that grows and grows amid the human race.

In the past there have been battles; in the past there have been plagues. But, seems the present worst devil is a battle for supremacy over others' desire to live with hope for a gentle, peaceful day of liberty.

What's happening with those who want more than they deserve?
What's happened with those who leave home of a morning and never return to safe comfort?
What makes people feel they've the right to use an army of hate against anyone they THINK is an opponent or outsider?
What makes people need carry weapons and kill for killing's sake because they can?
What makes people take the life of a woman who wants to watch her children grow?
What makes a stranger kill a man who only wants to unlock his door at day's end and hug his children?
What makes someone live high in the clouds who enjoys the power to use cruelty?
Can suggest more.. Forgive my attitude but yo asked for us to treat others better and more.
Methinks there's a need to get rid of the hate before we try inspiring love.
Tragically and shame to Humankind, it's been tried and wickedly failed - more than once.

Your brilliant words inspired more than I should have added. Forgive but inspiration is what we all need to live in love and peace.

[FlatDaddy]

you so much, Emma. Your words are not lost on me, but so many words are lost on everyone it seems.

[FlatDaddy]

No, I'm not going to review myself. I just wanted to add a comment re my "Author's Note." It seems a bit prescient now, doesn't it. Before long, we'll be CHASING those people I said would be running for the hills -- and they sure won't like it when we catch 'em. God help us if we don't.
FD

[Relic]

The Statue of Liberty. I can see your point F Daddy. It's well taken.

[FlatDaddy]

Thank you, Relic. You are one of the few.

[Betty Hermelee]

I agree! We all must learn kindness and civility.... surely this woman had many issues and took them out on someone else...I can understand it but it's cruel.... and there is a lot to learn.... very meaningful piece!
Warmly, B

[FlatDaddy]

Thank you, Betty

[Betty Hermelee]

You are most welcome!
Warmly, B

[Arundass TP]

Excellent poem enjoyed reading

[FlatDaddy]

Thanks, Arundass. I'm glad you liked it.

[Thomas W Case]

Powerful. Full of emotion.

[FlatDaddy]

Thank you, Thomas

[Samuel Dickens]

I think I don't understand all I know about this. Even so, there seems to be much anguish on the part of the crying woman. On that, I'll just say that we need to treat one another better. What goes around comes around, and if we don't do better, we'll all shall soon be circling the drain.

[FlatDaddy]

Hey, Sam, I certainly appreciate your comments. I'd like you to think about who this woman is. It might mean more to you and help you understand.

[Samuel Dickens]

Could it be allegory? There may be too much crust of old age on my brain to get it.

[FlatDaddy]

Try looking hard at the last line, Uncle S.

[ETERNITY]

And, FlatDaddy, obviously, "most" of the violent crimes are men killing females just because they can.

[FlatDaddy]

Oh, yes, that is correct. And it's getting worse. We, as a country and as a people, have lost our soul. That is not a religious reference, per se. We have lost our desire to treat others with care and compassion. We have become a strictly transactional society, with no heart; no care is shown or given without a fee being collected. Otherwise, there is violence.

[ETERNITY]

Love, all we need is Love. Everybody knows that but nobody follows through. WTHeck?

[ETERNITY]

Wow! That was kinda witchy! "loosed her fire"
I like it!