How Many Stand Silent?
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| Like watching a storm on the horizon.... |
How many stand silent,
Watching as you quietly die?
How many stand silent,
Watching as you are abused?
One, a dozen, the whole world.
What if no one spoke for any of us?
Would you speak if the hand raised,
was raised against you and yours?
How many stand silent,
Knowing who deals death
Just beyond their door?
How many stand slient,
Knowing cruelty lives and thrives
Just beyond their door?
One, a dozen, the whole world.
What if no one looked at any of us?
Would you cry out or would you cower away,
if the cruelty was coming through your door?
How many stand silent,
Waiting for someone to speak?
How many stand silent,
Believing the lies, "I've changed"?
One, a dozen, the whole world.
What if we stopped believing them?
How many stand silent...
How many stand silent waiting for...
Just one person to say, "Stop! Enough!"?
How many stand silent...
How many stand silent waiting for...
Someone else to make the world change?
copyright Shanyn Silinski 2010
A repost from my blog, Scarred Seeker, this poem resonated with so many communities of people I wanted to share it here with you. Whether we are speaking for survivors of abuse, advocating for those facing troubles, shouting out against animal cruelty or looking for strength to speak our faith - there are always, it seems, too many who stand silent when their voices need to be heard.
I would love to invite you to visit my other blog, Mystic-Mom, for more poetry, stories of ranch life and photos.
Bright blessings!
You ask all the important questions in this piece... What a pity there are no definitive answers.
ReplyDeleteMoving and thought-provoking, Shanyn-- I especially like
ReplyDeleteHow many stand silent,
Believing the lies, "I've changed"?
very perceptive and sadly so true. Would you please when you have time be sure you get to other people in the Friday meme if you haven't and explain that to Zoe so she also makes the rounds? Kerry posted her link, as did Tess Kincaid-- both wonderful writers! xxxj
Shanyn - this is an umcomfortable poem, as is should be! I hope that every one of us has "How many stand silent" resonating in our minds whenever we are tempted to do just that.
ReplyDeleteKerry - they are the hard questions and only the person asking can know their own answer. Too many, though, would rather wait for 'someone to do something' not understanding they are that someone!
ReplyDeleteJenne - Zoe and I have made the rounds of the posts, wonderful bunch of poems by really super writers. This is great, thanks for doing it!
Zoe - you are right! It is supposed to be uncomfortable. For everyone who stops being silent another can find their voice.
powerful write...i work with kids that have been abused...it is harrowing to hear their tales...i wont keep quiet....
ReplyDeleteBrian - thanks for coming by. Bless you for working with abused kids, I've worked with kids and even with their natural resiliency it amazes me what they (we) can come through. I too, won't be silent or silenced. Glad to see you here!
ReplyDeleteWell done! 100% truth spoken in this piece! I'm so thankful for so many who ARE speaking out! And I agree about the lie "I've changed" - I actually had another Christian tell me I hadn't truly forgiven my abuser because I hadn't done like his mother, and invited the person to be actively a part of my life. Um what? I've forgiven, I have spoken to my abuser face-to-face for what he did. He has been a part of my life my entire life but it wasn't by MY choice. People have interesting ideas when it comes to abuse.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
Mel - thanks so much for coming by! Your comment illustrates a mistake so many people make about forgiveness. When we forgive it doesn't mean WE have to have a relationship with the person we are forgiving, it isn't even about them. It is about us, and God and letting God do His work. When we hold on to anger, hatred or other feelings we lock ourselves away from grace and the blessings that forgiving (and being forgiven) gives us. Wonderful comment!
ReplyDelete