This is a poignant poem about domestic violence. Marie A. Jordan-Whitney also shares her photo with WUNRN. Marie writes: “Since I have been fortunate to move out of a 25-year abusive marriage, I feel passionate about raising awareness about domestic violence and empowering others to freedom.”
LIMITATIONS
By Marie A. Jordan-Whitney
My body freezes and my heart races.
Heavy footsteps ascend the wood stairs.
His threatening gait approaches.
His six-foot height glares down into my frightened eyes,
He prepares for the strike,
Swings back like a pitcher.
The blow hits my shoulder,
Sends piercing pain to my fingertips.
My escape is futile.
He raises his hand for another blow,
I wonder if he’ll kill me.
I say nothing to fuel his rage.
A second six-foot figure enters,
Stands between his parents.
He folds his arms, faces his father.
My fifteen-year old son speaks.
“You will not hit my mother.”
“Do you understand?”
He waits for his father to leave,
Then examines the purple welt.
“He won’t touch you again,” he says softly.
Photographs of the bruises,
A restraining order,
My son and I move.
Until the order is lifted, we’re safe.
Then, he finds our new home.
Attempted break-ins, threatening phone calls.
Attorneys write rules.
New locks and monitored calls.
Hypervigilance.
The divorce process takes two years.
He remarries.
We move further away.
……………………………………
Marie A. Jordan-Whitney, a published author and public educator has worked with the staff at The Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County in Connecticut, USA to support women and children, who have suffered from domestic violence. Marie also teaches graduate level writing courses at Southern Connecticut State University.
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