Michael, this literally moved me to tears. Such a powerful and gutsy write from a poet who normally paints such beautiful pictures with his words. Don't get me wrong, this is a triumph of writing, but this hits very very hard.
A commendable write indeed, Michael, about the kind of act we hear too much about. I would nominate this if I could - I hope someone does!

Oh this broke my heart so much!! It broke my heart that this was written as though it had happened to you, and broke my heart even more when I read that's based on a true story. Thank you for writing about this and raising awareness. When I think about those pathetic excuses of human beings I wish I could destroy them as they destroyed poor missy and her mamma

It's nice to see you back Michael...it's been way too long. What a pity this is posted in the explicit section where it cannot be nominated because I feel this is a poem/story that needs to be read. Perhaps you would consider changing the word to wh*ore and see if the site will accept it in the life section?

As for the verse itself...brought chills to my spine. Sadly this happens way too often and the majority of cases go unreported or...the case is dropped after violent threats are made so....good on you for highlighting this story. Welcome back...I've missed you *grins*

I'm glad you managed to change it to the life section and...in my opinion I'd leave it there...such a raw poem that so many can relate to, even if it's not from personal experience...when I read about these events or see them on TV..it both angers me (that the woman couldn't just walk away) and to the brute of a man who enjoys destroying everything....

Great read, Micheal. Violence against helpless women is a worthy topic to highlight, you managed to pen every single detail so vividly, thank you for sharing.

This deserves a front page preview! You are an expert on story telling.

Michael,

This story was told in such a way, it made the reader feel the pain of the victim completely. How special that you, as a man, can relate so well to how a woman feels. My heart goes out to all those women out there that are being violated daily, and by the billions :(

Well done, superb story telling!

Take care,

Ingrid x

Congrats on the win, dear:) Well deserved!!

Ingrid x

Weekly Contest Judging comment:
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This has to be one of the best storytelling poems I read. The pauses and continuation of the lines made the scenery in the poem so vividly seen. I saw the place she was in, and I heard the different voices and sounds. God, I think I even felt her pain.
The writer took a real story, gave a voice to a voiceless woman, and made the reader feel and sympathize with her. We saw her agony, her torture and her pain through her eyes. We lived every moment of that night with her.
The lines where she realizes he loved her, only to realize again that he did not were so powerful. We fight to see the good in those we love, so by default even if we were hurt by them in one time, the moment they do a good deed in the moment we come to think that's it is alright again. We deceive ourselves just to cover the fact that we are so scared to be alone.
This is such a heartfelt poem that I think others should read. Just to know that some people should be remembered...

Wow! Michael what a piece of how love and hate gets all mixed together. This piece left me with tears in my eyes and a pain in my heart.
Excellent job!
Take care
Cindy
*big hugs

Michael, I'm glad you pointed me in the direction of this piece although not glad about the whole scenario.

This was a truly moving piece that brought me to tears. I think it's wonderful that as a man you captured each part beautifully. The way we believe he still loves us even after everything he does to us. The story telling is magical and I'm glad it was a winner because it deserved the appreciation it got.

Alot of men are in these kinds of relationships too, that's what annoys me because although I have suffered at the hands of one of these men that calls himself human I can still defend other men because its not always a man doing the crime.
Em

Michael, after reading Em's latest poem about domestic abuse and reading your comments I had to find your poem-I can only say WOW! This is so incredibly hard read but beautifully done. Such a sad story about this young woman and her baby. It blows my mind even now in this day that people can be like this to another one, all in the name of love? I shouldn't be surprised because how awful people can be but it still knocks me for a loop. You really wrote this well, I'm so glad I got to read this-take care-Brenda

You told the story so well, used words that made my heart stop beating for some minutes. It was indeed a sad story, but the way you presented it, yes I agree, as a man, it is truly commendable of you to have presented it without any reservation. You are a great storyteller.