silent but Screaming (adult content)

I've seen it happen time after time in the dim lit bars in New Orleans, Memphis, Mobile, Houston, Baton Rouge. I've even been on the same side of it, drunk out of my head and the so called well meaning lady. Yes, of course it's different. Jeezus woman, this is one hellaciously powerful write and literally makes me gag with the knowledge that it happens. You're right, sometimes poetry is not meant to be enjoyed and yes, this is one of those, but, My God, the power of it. I have tears here. 5/5 because it deserved it. Respectfully, Rett: "Did you ever notice that the politicians who want to ban gun ownership are the very ones that should be shot anyway?" Rett: 2008

O my. Ugly reality elegantly, eloquently and starkly portrayed and uncovered. Hugs of love. ~A

This took a massive amount of bravery to share here... and I can understand how women who have been victims of these predatory men can mistrust every man and his intentions... I am sorry this happened... and do not understand the concept at all... for me, if a woman doesn't want to "be" with me, it doesn't make me want to take "her"... it makes me want to run. I thank you for sharing this traumatic time with us and hope writing this has helped you to move past some of the bad feelings towards men in general... because like Rett says, we aren't all this guy in your poem... but they are out there... Richard

to be sure Ronda and we have all seen such predators take merciless advantage of vulnerability and felt significantly devalued as a result. I am often none too proud of my sex and unfortunately i have seen far to many women taken advantage of in this way and for some their actual relationships with men are not much different either. Brave as always Ronda and i hope you do feel up to posting part two since what you write is always truly worth reading and few of us are shrinking violets on this site. The truth is the truth no matter how ugly. Keith

raw, real & disturbing. I take my hat off to you.

I'll give you hugs,too. This poem bothered me. But putting it on paper, helps purge the thoughts from you.

What a creepy, dark, and horrifying write. It sickens me when I hear of these type things happening. *passes you a gun in case the taser isn't enough* ~Jess K. ---------------------------------------------------- - "The term "paranoid" would seem to indicate a lack of preparation.... I prefer to be labled "hypervigilant"

This is some serious shixx, fantastic in it's honesty of how pathetic a life like this is. I don't mean to be nasty by that I just agree with Infinite_dwarf I don't like to see these things happen and I get... well I don't know why but I get really angry at people like this, I also get this urge to hug people like this and offer them any help they need. H

And I have to say that this is poetry. Firstly, it's an excellent read. The form and flow of the poem pulls the reader through. The narrative speaks of guilt and violation and disbelief and guilt and anger and guilt and it doe sit well. It touches on the part of all of us that chastises for putting ourselves in the position where evil or cruel or amoral people can take advantage of our lapse of judgment and shines the light of responsibility where it belongs, at the person initiating the actions. On a technical side, the use of the italics and the run-together words and phrases is an excellent way to convey that voice in our minds that we hear during stress filled incidents. The one question I have is in the line: --------------------- no path no light his hands pullingpushing – I said NO! --------------------- The "I Said" feels a little disjointed. Perhaps it belongs with "NO!" on the next line or perhaps there's another structure choice such as: --------------------- no path no light his hands pullingpushing – I said NO! --------------------- To give a more emphatic quality to that section. Of course you, as the poet, know best the effect you are trying to achieve and must structure it the way if feels best to you. --Jonathan Annoying the world, one person at a time (Group discounts available)

Hi Ronda.... apart from the subject matter, this is a very distinctive and well tempered write.... considering the subject matter, it could have been so easy to loose in a tirade... but considering the subject matter its descriptive remains calm and collected... I was unable to fault it, except for some punctuation, but then I use so little of that stuff any way, it hardly matters.... personally Ronda I think this is a terrific piece of writing.

Ronda, This is an emotional, gut wrenching piece. Your choice of words, and the flow was excellent. I haven't read such a great piece in a long time. Thank you for posting and sharing~ _____________________________ To write a touching poem, you must gently stir the soul, if it brings forth tears or smiles, then the story was beautifully told. ________Janice Pearce_________

i have listened to others share incidents in their lives so many close freinds ex lovers i have my list mentally should i come across paths with the Concienceless perps they dont like it being singaled out in public this is a big leap but a poetic poem well written I wish you good thoughts

is what echoes in my head. How can you even think it was your fault? But most of us would, were they in the same situation, I suppose. Don´t we all tend to think everytime a bad thing happens to us: How did I deserve that? It´s a short step from that question to others like "What did I do wrong?" My heart goes out to you. Love, ID

Maybe not enjoyable, but very, very powerful. It grabbed me by the back of my neck and dragged me on like an unfolding nightmare that I wanted to stop but could not. Very well done.

Sorry I missed this when you first posted it, not much to say after all the previous, yes courageous, yes poetry yes punctuation as servant not master and no, I no longer take on the shame of perpetrators, or racists or any sort of -ist anymore, hugs and cheers, Jess

you've wrought here. Impressive. Powerful. Superlatives don't do it justice. I wish they did, but they fall too sadly short. I wish that men were astute enough to see that when they make women into sex objects, they also do it to themselves; that when they demean a woman (any woman) in that way, they demean themselves. And that when they brag of such behaviors, they puff up what's to be found at their own centers: Nothing. At least nothing of merit. Nor of substance other than smoke. Sorry for the mildness of my comment, but I'm of a divided mind at the moment ... being on the verge of a trip out of country. Packing's about over. Tomorrow a different universe. If only life in the nasty real were that easy to switch out of. Thanx so much. A treasurer of your words, Chuck

Debra Bryant I feel your pain and terror. I can't express in words what I felt as I read...perhaps because you said it all. Every one every where should realize that NO means NO. I truly admire your bravery. Hugs & prayers (I hope that does not offend) Debbie

This took courage for you to even write, much less post. I have been in places like this, a long time ago, and I'm having a hard time with just the response, the subject is so raw. I've never really dealt with it--just left it buried there. The read is riveting, sure not flowers in springtime. I respect you for 1: writing it, and 2: putting it out there. D.

Two years later, this is still an amazing, piece, I am reading these trying to get a feel for them, I wrote one of my own, and I'm doing research on how to make it better

I miss you Ronda. Rheally I do. Love, Anna "A poem is never finished, only abandoned." ~ Paul Valery

You are so beautiful! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlDmslyGmGI Love, Anna "A poem is never finished, only abandoned." ~ Paul Valery