Zarifa Muhammad-El

Wife Beaters

An Atrocity to make light of this brutality
What hole provided this slang and the troth who've except it as fashionable
Insensitive lackies
Jump on the bandwagon of another sister's and some brother's who blessingly won't raise a hand to a husband beater, because of their true strength and restraint

I've attended Dade County's Alliance Against Domestic Violence
2001 Walkathon-2002 Bayside
for women like my grandmother who couldn't protect herself or her children from my grandfather's wrath
I'm guessing it didn't matter what he wore
he was still a demonic ass

My grandmother is still paying
from a stroke and suffering from dementia
had to be escorted by the Sheriff's department
to get proper healthcare from my aunt
the one out of eight who respects and cares for her
since most have turned their backs

She wasn't strong enough to get away from her house of hell
while Charles goes to function after function w/ his hoardings

Passed down through generations
abuse is nightmarish

So if you've been blessed to have surpassed
slaps, punches, shoves, throws, bruises, and breakings of skin and bone
a loss of soul, self, and dignity
don't disrespect the ones who have not

It's a sleeveless rounded neck t-shirt
no more, no less

I actually prefer these t's
compared to the sleeved,
but blessings for me
no other man outside my father
in his sleeved v neck
has raised his hand to me
for sure I'd be ready to take it off

My father has passed
and I've forgiven him time and time again

Cowardice bullies
Mentally challenged
or that's all they know
beating on others to show their pain
the effects of abuse are damaging,
destructive,
a disgusting cycle

Women brutalized,
raped,
& killed
by someone who is supposed to protect her

So parents
arm your daughters
and enlighten your sons

Wife beaters
the men and women behind the t-shirts
take note that the warriors will be raised amongst you in search of balance

Sisters will fight back more often
and risk their lives to be free from the slavemasters of their so called homes

So Safe Spaces will be non-existent
and children will learn better ways to deal w/ conflict

Just because stereotypes of these after hours
telecast abusers in their doorways
after incidents
doesn't take from the truth of Domestic Violence,
at home
adding insult to injury,
sickness,
intoxication

Where one lays their head to rest
forced to fight back tears of betrayal
discolored faces,
split lips,
abdomens,
arms,
shins bruised and battered

My sisters
I hear you
I'll call the angels
if you allow them to pull you up,
before it's to late

No more
restraining orders
trespassed out of utter disrespect for self and others

No more violence,
mother,
father,
husband and wife
To life due us Justice

Copyright © 2004 Zarifa Muhammed-El

Cover Design: Joseph McNair