A song by Brenda Fassie inspired this one.
If these words inspire one person to leave an abusive relationship, they will be worth the tears I cried hearing the song "Too Late For Mama" and writing this poem...
She wanted to leave, oh, how she
wanted to, but it was too late, too
late for Mama.
He struck the face he praised; the one
he promised to cherish; it was too late, too
late for Mama.
He pinned her to the bed, pinned
her against her will, it was too late, too
late for Mama.
He held her in an iron fist, he held
her too tightly; it was too late, too
late for Mama.
They buried her yesterday. She
wanted to escape, but it was too late, too
late for Mama.
(c) 2007, Karla Dorman (5/23)
Mom, Don't Make Me Go
Last edited: Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Posted: Wednesday, August 25, 2004
A boy who teased those "less fortunate" than him finds the tables are turned.
I always made fun of them. You know who I mean, THEM.
The freaks.
Geeks. Nerds. Retards.
Those different than me were fair game.
For the record, call me Brad. I am...WAS...a normal teenaged punk. Typical high school jock. Thought the sun rose and set on me. I was special, man. Set apart. I was going places!
Not any more.
My Mom used to tell me that I was going to come to a bad end. I'd just laugh and tell her she was nuts. Nothing was going to happen to me, I was going to live forever!
Not any more.
Oh, I'm home now, but nothing is the same. Nothing will ever be the same again.
EV-ER.
Tomorrow is the first day of school. I don't want to go.
Everyone will be looking on me with pity. Asking me what's wrong with me, why my arms and legs don't work. Asking me why I'm in a wheel chair.
Or, worse, talking about me.
I don't want to face the inevitable stares. Hear the whispered comments.
Or face those I'd teased.
Because I'll be where they are. And I remember.
Mom, don't make me go.
(C) Copy written, August 25, 2004, by Karla Dorman.