repercussions of violence
according to Dictionary.com:
percussion, 1. the striking of one body against another with some sharpness; impact, blow.
repercussion, 4. reverberation, echo.
One blow echoes for years, decades, centuries, millenia. Think of hammer blows nailing a man to a cross. Echoes deafening. Some will not or can not hear them, preoccupied with mundane lives.
So many blows suffered in this world. By adults, by children.
40 year old man-boy catapults into flashbacks of childhood abuse. Sexual. Repeated. Starting age five. Repercussions triggered by a men’s recovery retreat. Echoes forbid him to remain in numb safety.
Horror shakes his body, emulating orgasms. He shrinks into feeble quivering fetus. It is real. Very real. Terribly real.
Later remembers there are many like him. Millions and millions. Writes poems for A Victor’s Psalm to inspire them and those who should be protecting children suffering now.
Some copies are given away. Very few are sold. Lack of marketing, societal denial, both? Poet slides back into child belief that no one cares.
He cares. About the kids. He makes noise, repeatedly. Seems people shrug their shoulders. Writes another book. Of affirmation, empowerment. Price five bucks a piece. Percentage of profits to be given to domestic violence shelters. There are no profits.
This is so much bigger than his wounded ego. Bigger than his words.
Ironically enough works as crisis clinican, counselor. Kids and adults talk or not. He listens. Responds. Serves. When needed gives reports to child protection services. Suffering is so much greater than one man’s compassion.
Greater than all the love in the world? Refuses to believe so. Writes: Truth can be a sword and love a shield. It’s time we pick them up.
Tide will turn. Balance will shift. Love will prevail. Right?
~ Wry Welwood,
9th of June, 2021
Written in response to J.D. Harms’ word prompt in Scrittura: social consequences. With thanks to Viraji Ogodapola.