A look inside Muses and graces and love - poems about love and life
Boiling Point (pg. 28-29)
They had an expensive Italian wedding
Before the month ended, the beatings started.
She was bewildered, angry and helpless.
Their religion would not have them parted.
Her Mother said "Be kinder, he'l stop it."
Her sister's husband beat her, too.
She wrung her hands and tried much harder
To do whatever he wanted her to.
Her compliance and attention made no difference.
He drank and beat her every Friday night.
He'd apologize and "make-up" on Saturday.
She saw her life as a terrible plight.
She realized she'd remain unaided.
She simply would have to take a stand,
Or live a lifetime plagued with beatings
From him or some other man.
So, that night just like clockwork
He came home, beat her and went to bed.
She filled a spaghetti pot with boiling water
and held it over his sleeping head.
She woke him gently without much movement.
But there was fire in her soul.
Her blood boiled water hotter than the boiling water.
He awoke and watched her rage unfold.
With that, she moved away the water.
Not one drop touched his head.
She spoke, "Go to sleep, Honey - sorry I woke you.
You must be exhausted and nearly dead."
That night, while she slept he sat thinking.
From that day on he was kind.
He never again raised a hand to her.
Their life became peaceful, sublime.
Tonight, they're celebrating their fifteenth.
Their children and grandchildren will be there
And a priest to renew the vows
Symbolic of the love they share.
So I ask you what is the secret
To their everlasting truce?
Tell it to every troubled woman
Who has had to live with abuse.
They had an expensive Italian wedding
Before the month ended, the beatings started.
She was bewildered, angry and helpless.
Their religion would not have them parted.
Her Mother said "Be kinder, he'l stop it."
Her sister's husband beat her, too.
She wrung her hands and tried much harder
To do whatever he wanted her to.
Her compliance and attention made no difference.
He drank and beat her every Friday night.
He'd apologize and "make-up" on Saturday.
She saw her life as a terrible plight.
She realized she'd remain unaided.
She simply would have to take a stand,
Or live a lifetime plagued with beatings
From him or some other man.
So, that night just like clockwork
He came home, beat her and went to bed.
She filled a spaghetti pot with boiling water
and held it over his sleeping head.
She woke him gently without much movement.
But there was fire in her soul.
Her blood boiled water hotter than the boiling water.
He awoke and watched her rage unfold.
With that, she moved away the water.
Not one drop touched his head.
She spoke, "Go to sleep, Honey - sorry I woke you.
You must be exhausted and nearly dead."
That night, while she slept he sat thinking.
From that day on he was kind.
He never again raised a hand to her.
Their life became peaceful, sublime.
Tonight, they're celebrating their fifteenth.
Their children and grandchildren will be there
And a priest to renew the vows
Symbolic of the love they share.
So I ask you what is the secret
To their everlasting truce?
Tell it to every troubled woman
Who has had to live with abuse.