you are the radio star, whose dulcet voice enchants over the air. you cast yourself a modern cultured man of the city with your progressive views on women and arts. during a public event, when you noticed me out of all your young adoring fans, I felt like a winner being singled out by the city's brightest light.
your silky voice
is summer's caress, i bloom
as night full of fireflies
our second date is perfect - dinner then coffee invite at your home by the lake. i lean in for a sweet kiss, but what happens next is forever stitched in my memories. you hit me, three times on the face with closed fists. i fall on the ground with knees like water, but you are not done yet. you put your hands on my throat to choke the wind from my lungs. your eyes are wild with desire. violence is your opium rush. doubts came, festering my confidence into silence. i felt like a loser for falling for your ego-sized games.
your eyes, teeth are red
on my neck, your hands blacken -
what animal are you?
This is the day I had looked forward to after 10 years. You in the courtroom being charged by the police for sexual assault. You have been fired from your job. Your dark eyes are filled with worry. An animal in the cage, caught and restrained by law and negative public opinion. You hired a good defense lawyer to save you. I read that she is the celebrity's shark, out to destroy all the witnesses, (including me). No matter what the legal outcome will be next year, the real winners are the victims who are speaking out against the rape-culture mentality of our time.
above bony trees
hawk glides sleek as ivory sky-
I find my voice
Background: This is our local version of USA's Bill Crosby story. However the man in spotlight, Jian Ghomeshi is a celebrated CBC radio star, accused of sexual violence against women (15 stories), without their consent. In Canada there is no time limitation on sexual violence; you can still be charged & sued even after 10 or more years has passed. You can read more here and here~
For D'verse Poets Pub - For Mary's prompt of Winners and Losers ~ I have not been around due to my studies and on-going home renovations. I have one more week to go before my exams, and the renovations should be done by then ~ Thanks for the visit ~
Wow, your poetic voice is so strong, so personal, it feels like a true story, something you experienced; ah, the magic of poetry. Your last lines are killer /above bony trees/hawk glides sleek as ivory sky--/I find my voice/. What form is this? I love the mix of prose & haiku.
ReplyDeleteIt is based on a true developing story, please see my notes below. The mix of prose and haiku is a haibun (a series) ~ Thanks Glenn ~
DeleteGrace... I loved how you put this into the form of a haibun.. I loved the story and hope that he get what's coming to him.. wonderful
ReplyDeleteI hope so too ~ Thanks Bjorn ~
DeleteI read a little more about him.. and there seems to be some similarities between him and Göran Lindberg.. He was a high-ranking police officer who reached his fame by driving very good program against sexual discrimination .. teaching at the Police Academy etc.. he became a small scale celebrity..
DeleteThen it was revealed that he had in parallel contacted young girls in foster-care and similar.. the one who couldn't speak for themselves and tortured them with whips etc.. he ended up in prison..
I find it ironic how people can lead two different lives, and hold two different masks ~ Yikes on the torturing of young women and I am happy to read he is now in prison ~
DeleteI nearly thought that was a personal story, before reading your comments and explanations at the end. I like the haibun way of expressing those emotions - a condensation of something too momentous to utter.
ReplyDeleteI have read enough of the victim stories to empathize with their situation ~ Thanks Marina ~
Deleteugh. stomach turning....especially when one turns out to be nothing like what you would expect...and then takes advantage of you...devastating...what goes on behind the minds of the rich and famous...what they could get away with...cover up, or buy their way out of....so sad...
ReplyDeleteThe covering up and getting away with it has been happening for a long time ~ I felt a terrible injustice has been dealt with the women victims versus the celebrated star ~ Thanks Brian ~
Deleteit struck me in the second section that you were talking about Ghomeshi. This and the Cosby story are so tragic. When those we admire turn out to be monsters...kinda shakes one's faith in humanity.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean ~ Thanks Bryan ~
DeleteGrace, wow...what a strong entry into the 'winners and losers' theme. I had not heard of this case, though we here in the USA should have. Sigh. It is good that in Canada there is no statute of limitations when it comes to sexual violence. That is as it should be! The second haiku in your haibun says so much. "What animal are you?" speaks reams.
ReplyDeleteGood for our laws, I say ~ Thanks for the lovely prompt Mary ~
DeleteIt amazes me what people get away with for so long and frightens me where their minds are at. This is a powerful piece that gives voice to something that needs it. Great write Grace
ReplyDeleteI think some people have deep mental and emotional issues ~ Thanks Kathryn ~
DeleteThis is so good, Grace! The haibun is probably the perfect form for such a write. I enjoyed how the poem evolves with each new stanza. Sadly these people can indeed afford the sharks intent on destroying the victims.
ReplyDeleteSeems only the rich can afford the shark lawyers ~ Thanks Gabriella ~
DeleteThis is really sad and a very strong poem.
ReplyDeleteThis man should spend the rest of his pathetic life in jail.
How could anyone do these things to women.
You write from the heart and soul.
You never know what is behind the persona they put on for show. Hopefully he ends up rotting in jail.
ReplyDeleteGrace, this is the topic of the hour in Canada right now. I have been so disappointed and devastated - how the mighty has fallen. Yes, violence was his opium rush, sadly. He is so much less than we thought him, so much less than he could have been. At the top of his game, all tumbled down. You are right, it is the women he victimized who will be re-victimized in pursuit of justice. A haibun was a cool choice for this poem.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am glad that we are having this conversation as it is very much needed ~ Thanks Sherry ~
DeleteThis is haunting and seems to be in all arenas of life~ I am sad that so many have suffered from his abuse. You cast a web of a poem and I feel the tangle of emotion~
ReplyDeleteIm really, really impressed because I read about.this, really strong and good,
ReplyDeleteI missed you Grace:)
He won't soar again. So glad those women finally found a voice
ReplyDeleteThe charisma of the psychopath is a deadly mix with sexual violence...
ReplyDeleteBut a delight on a radio show were nothing fears the silken voice of confidence...
All i can say is.. per what i have witnessed in life..
I'm glad i was born a man.. as the less than animals do still roam....
and unreported sexual violence is still far far above.. what even comes to court.. and can be rejected by those who still see women as the lesser of the species....sadly where empathy does not live.....
That's a real punchy one....such a strong piece .....
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly who I thought you were talking about: Bill Cosby. Such tragedy hidden because of fame. I'm glad the victims are now victors. Thank you for giving them a voice. Be well and have a beautiful week, Grace.
ReplyDeleteA lot of victims cannot face the destruction of a court case so many perpetrators of crimes against women go free everywhere in the world.
ReplyDeleteThey ought to be put in their place. Good that there is no statute of limitations governing this. We'll see the developments! Nicely Grace!
ReplyDeleteHank
strong poem depicting a monstrous, tragic event. Makes me sad that things like this keep happening.
ReplyDeletepowerful ~
ReplyDelete