The Boxer and the Crown

Hello dear friend, I hope life has treated you well

My life has been this long bumpy road of twists and turns

I've had my fair share of laughs and cries

They've kicked me down with their whines and burns

Nonetheless, when they try; they still tell lies

Just as the prisoner, writing he learns

I place these words on this paper of lows and highs

As I listen to "One Thing" by Finger Eleven

I've notice I have nothing to sell

Anything I could do would cost me seven

They say what about the church

When it rings it's bell

I say what about the prisoner on his perch

When he learns how to spell

If we knew about this one thing

Would we scream in fear or with joy yell

Would it make us cry or with laughter sing

Down this winding road, for you I can't tell

Waiting for the last bell to ring

Listening to "Second Chance" by Shinedown

Is it something you listen to in the fall or the spring

Who's the one that really wears the crown

Even the royal one himself king he's calling

Even the queen isn't pure enough to be found

Just as the boxer his fists he's balling

Can you hear the sound

Or was that just me falling

Now listening to "The Kill" by 30 Seconds To Mars

The lion cries its mighty roar; its prey it mauls

Are we merely people chasing cars

What do you say when your mother calls

Or are we merely people chasing stars

Do we help the next who falls

An illusion, maybe instead he drowns

Currently hearing the buzz of "Iris" by The Goo Goo Dolls

As the clown frowns

Is your child enjoying school halls

As fading as small towns

Is your teenager hanging out in malls

What happens to the nightgowns

Does the cab stop for your calls

Or do you cry out in fear

Do the trees look like men who are tall

Or are you the one who cries the first tear

Recently listening to the drumming of "Broken" by Lifehouse

What are you driving; is it in a slow or fast gear

Are you broken and taking another dose

Or are you taking another blow knowing this might be your last tear

Do you try to leave even though you might lose

Or so you stay knowing the words are better to hear

Hearing the piano finger playing of "How To Save A Life" by The Fray

Dear friend do you still hope and care

Who do you talk to when you have something to say

Do you know how the world isn't so fair

Or are you just starting out and have found a place to stay

Saving a life isn't a game or a dare

How would you do it if you had a way

Do you have shoes that match as a pair

Or are you insecure with bare feet that sway

It's 12:51 and I'm listening to "Angels On The Moon" by Thriving Ivory

Where you are is it cloudy or a bursting light of ray

Do you feel insecure about your toes or your hair

What would you do if you were dying

Would you live your life fearless or scared

When was the last time you felt like you were flying

Dear old friend when was the last time you found the road

Have you found the light or are you still living in the dark

Lastly and sadly listening to "Not About Angels" by Birdy

What would you do if you could find the mark

Dear old friend do you feel clean or are you dirty

Have you been stuck inside or are you free to go to the park

When was the last time someone cared for you and your blue eyes

Second to the last song listening to "Read All About It" by Emeli Sande

Have you been able to talk about it or are you stuck in silence until the blood dries

Dear old friend have you reached out to someone

I believe you, can't you just tell me your cries

I want you to be safe, since when did you want to go back to a place where any second your life might be done

When he asks for forgiveness telling you lies

Dear old friend when was the last time you felt safe

Since when were you okay with walking home with swollen eyes

Listening to the final song "I Believe You" by Fletcher

Does he make you do things you would normally turn the other cheek and say your goodbyes

Do you hope in a cross or a dream catcher

Has anyone heard your cries

Listening to the rhythm of "Sober" by Kelly Clarkson

Old friend when will you grab my hand

Instead of a bottle

When will you take your stand

Have you made sure all the clocks are on

When will you find dry land

Has the day reached dawn

Are you on concrete or sand

Old friend it's been three months since you've been gone

I miss you like the wanderer misses the stars

The very finalized last song "Remedy" by Adele

Did you think you were as worthless as the city cars

Did you think you would never fall like you were made of steel

I always wondered if you're wounds ever turned into scars

When he killed your heart could you still feel

It was his grasp that kept you behind bars

When your last heart beat broke did you heal

I miss your laughter, your smile

I wish there was more I could have done

But as this song ends so does the lifetime mile

I still can't believe you're gone

What domestic violence?

I wrote this poem on a night that I couldn't sleep. To be quite vulnerably honest, I was actually thinking of my mom and what could have potentially happened say we didn't leave. I am here to tell you that domestic violence doesn't always have to be physical; it can be a number of things, such as:

Emotional, mental, verbal, financial, and controlling in not only an abusive manner but also in a harassing one. Society looks at domestic violence in the perspective of why doesn't he/she leave? Well, that's a great question; why don't we place our main focus on the one after that in which asks why are we not teaming up to help those in violent situations/relationships?

You have the right to your own voice and safety!

I know this graphic contains the matter of consent... Similarly victims of domestic violence also have rights which consist of knowing how to reach out for help. There's a trend that's been going around for a few years now in which a domestic violence victim places a black dot on their hand when they feel like it's not safe to disclose a situation. Another is the process called the Angel Shot, even though this constitutes more towards sexual harassment and advances; I feel like it could be used discreetly within a domestic violence situation as well.

I want to remind readers before we go on to the ending topic that this is not your fault. This is something in which you have done nothing wrong and were used in a way to not only control you but to have power/dominance over you. It's okay to feel vulnerable, it's okay to feel the feelings you are feeling right now, and it's quite normal to not feel anything at all; to just shut down.

You have the right to your voice, because it matters.

Have you ever heard the phrase actions speak louder than words? Well, for some situations that's not a realistic view; including this topic. Some may question me about that answer, and my response would be the same every time; domestic violence isn't always physical and is always about having power over someone.

From a survivor-to-survivor stand point, I want you to know it's okay to speak out if done in a safe manner. There are three things you should feel when reporting to someone:

1. You should feel safe.

Within the word safe it's exactly as it sounds and presents itself. It means a place to confide in; not within harm's reach.

2. You should feel validated/ believed.

If you are not able to feel validated or believed say by a family member or a friend, that's a tricky situation. Even though you feel silenced and shut out, I would encourage you to seek out other resources when doing so is safe.

3. You need to have the right to confidentiality.

If you don't feel you are within an atmosphere of confidence being that the abuser is within the vicinity or you're getting a vibe from the person which doesn't feel safe, then I would also encourage you to seek out other resources.

The resources that should be available to you locally are law enforcement, your local rape crisis center, possibly a support group or a therapist, and any campaigns within your surrounding area (even if they're online). Note: If you are utilizing online campaigns to disclose information make sure you have a safe way to exit the page quickly or if possible utilize a computer within your local library.

We decided to end on what the founder says...