November 25th marks the International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women and also the official start of the 16 Days Of Activism Against Gender-based Violence. The theme for this year is: ‘Let’s challenge militarism and end violence against women’. This poem was inspired by the many tears shed and the many women who go through beatings and emotional whips daily from their spouses or partners. To know more about this initiative visit: http://www.amnesty.org/en/womens-rights/16-days

Ring of Death

Holy matrimony
Holy misconception
Ring on her finger
He wrings his hands around her neck.
Tells her
She deserves it
He owns her now
That ring is proof that she is his,
To do as he pleases.
She must respect him.
Be a better woman.
Be a proper wife.
He’s putting her in her place.
It is what a man should do,
he says.

Her bruised body
Purple and black.
Holy matrimony
Holy pain
Holy rage
Holy beatings
Is this what the union of marriage is?
To be battered down
Stripped bare of your soul?
Till you don’t recognize the person
Looking right at you in the mirror.
Till your kids see their mother
bruised, down and on the floor?
When does it stop?
when does the union that was once a union of love
turn into a union of hatred, drunk spats
and blows to the face?

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