Blind Man's Bluff
by Clairesbest (Member) - published: July 18, 2004
Word Count: 220 Word Bytes: 1442 Viewed: 685 times
Category - Poetry
© Copyright by Clairesbest

9.2

(5 votes)

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9	arc

9	chapter1

10	Charmr

9	Nitz Kitty

9	windchime

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She studied the mirror in the bathroom,
the car, and her compact a hundred times
a day, but now she didn't have to cringe.
From purple, to green, to a sickly yellow,
it was barely visible. At least on her face.
For days it took the glasses of a blind man
to hide behind, but just a little make-up
and the barely tinted designer shades
did the trick.

When her boss railed at no one in particular
about sloppy paperwork, her heart pounded as
though she was personally responsible.
She kept excusing herself as though she was
an interloper in the world by just being there.
When the parking lot attendant complained
that she had no money for a tip, she cried.
The cop that stopped her on the way home
was sure she had committed murder - she was
too apologetic for the five miles over.

Dinner was ruined as she tried to keep it
warm, and dreaded what she'd face when at
midnight he came home and it wasn't fit to eat.
She tried to look extra pretty as a pacifier
that might stop a train. But it didn't.
Tomorrow she'd have to go back to the blind
man's glasses. Someday, she was going to
throw them away.

But then she always said that, and never did.

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Comments

The following comments are for "Blind Man's Bluff"
by Clairesbest

SO close to home
This is so well written Claire. The subject, definately heart-wrenching. I have a poem I am submitting that is related to this. About life behind a mask, unable to be me. Thanks for sharing this, and I hope you have not experienced a life as this.

( Posted by: Dareva [Member] On: July 18, 2004 )

life\'s experiences
Dar, no, I haven't lived it personally, but know many people who have. I have to give a speech tomorrow on battered women, and wanted to be able to read the poem, and direct them to lit.org for not just this poem, but for other inspiration....so I appreciate your feedback and look forward (if thats the sentiment) to reading it. Thank you for commenting!

Claire

( Posted by: clairesbest [Member] On: July 18, 2004 )

blind man's bluff
That is a well written poem with some sad imagery. Without sounding callous, why do people live that way...age old question...there is no real answer. It is just so frustrating. I look forward tom Dar's poem too.

( Posted by: arc [Member] On: July 18, 2004 )

...never did
Gripping!

You've touched a wound that can't be healed easily over years, but maybe time, through this wonderful poetry. This is an effortless piece of writing, terse and full of impact to varied readers! Thank you for sharing, Claire.

And best wishes!

( Posted by: idomis [Member] On: July 18, 2004 )

"Blind Man's Bluff"
Remember the "Burning Bed" or was it "The", anyway, as always, great job here. Gave it 10...

( Posted by: Charmr [Member] On: July 18, 2004 )

Ok...
I've not said ONE word, when politics is raised/razed whatever the affiliation...

I HELD my tongue, when issues I've felt strongly about were challenged/attacked...

And though brought up in an intensely religious home, I choose to no longer affiliate myself to any man made religious foundation, but choose to retain my beliefs just the same, whatever they are, without imposing them on any one...

But, THIS subject is possibly the most inflaming to me and the one I most abhor...

I would like to (and have) personally discuss on MY terms, the error of ANY person (that calls himself a man) that would hit, or beat a woman...

The coward and recreant person that would commit such an act, no longer in my opinion, has reason to enjoy his safety any longer, and should be summarily beaten (only) just short of termination of life...I don't want him to die... noooo there will be no solace in expenditure of life...

Not only did I see this in the Military, but overseas as well as here in the U.S. ... I nearly lost a stripe over an issue I had taken with just such a fellow...

This can only be stopped by every MAN that can call himself a MAN taking issue as well, to every coward that resorts to this form of confrontation...

I'm sorry for ranting here... forgive me and my uncontrollable temper on this subject... But some things I MUST take a stand on...

( Posted by: daprdan [Member] On: July 18, 2004 )

Oh Yeah...
I forgot, sorry...

This was obviously a very emotional piece for me...

An Outstanding write by the way, thank you...

And I'm sorry again...

( Posted by: daprdan [Member] On: July 18, 2004 )

Once again you have touched upon a subject close too close to home.
Claire,
Your piece was masterful and brought tears to my eyes.
I may have been fortunate enough to never have to experience physical abuse. However I do wish to mention that my ex was verbally abusive to both me and my children. He made us feel inadequate, unworthy, shameful, and the list goes on.I put up with that for twenty years and it led me down a path that was both dark and enlightening at the same time. One may not have the scars show on the outside yet the inside is in turmoil, always questioning one's self and apologetic for everything and anything.I am not trying to compare apples to oranges here.I just wish to say that any kind of spousal abuse leaves scars and many years of hurt to heal, if it ever does.
Thank you...and I hope that your reading went well, god bless you for your caring.
Peace to you.

( Posted by: CJHerlihy [Member] On: July 19, 2004 )

Blind Man
Great piece. Excellent topic!! I volunteer on a DV Hotline, so this was an especially poignant read for me. Kinda reminds me of "Goodbye Earl" and the long-sleeved blouses. Thanks for the great topic and piece!!!!

( Posted by: Everybodyelsesgirl [Member] On: July 19, 2004 )

Blind Mans Bluff
Claire,

I have already made my views known on Bissme's poetry on the same subject, I am a great believer that we should not carry hatred to the grave, as this then becomes our problem.

I have spent many years as a foster parent, re-educating parents to stop them beating and abusing children. You have to play the game, because the kids go back.

As I said on Bissme's comment it's not an easy problem, whether it is the man or the woman who is the abuser(I've seen both) in a relationship, love holds them together.

I have spent time working in a casualtiy unit, and seen horrific injures and the girl will not prosecute because of this love.(and other reasons of course, financial, children etc. etc.)

Sorry Dan, revenge is a natural instinct, but that destroys also. I stand by my original statement... These animals want putting down.

But in the absense of that, beating them to within an inch of their life to stop them re-offending could be both helpful and pleasurable.

Claire,

Good poetry, it certainly has stirred emmotions.

Ivor

( Posted by: ivordavies [Member] On: July 19, 2004 )

bluff
Although I don't know anything about this first hand, this certainly touches everyone, in some way. My daughter volunteers every Monday at an abused women's shelter where she facilitates activities for their children. A colleague at work has had a large bruise on her lower jaw for a week now and has been going around telling us her dentist screwed up and everybody believed her. Everybody but me: I saw two other bruises on her legs... Your poem tells it like it really is, with the entrapment becoming a progressively narrower prison, and the enabling lies becoming part of the entrapment. Truly sad... When you read this, it will be possible to hear that pin drop in whatever room you find yourself in. When you finish reading it, there will be tears, of joy and relief, at the compassionate understanding you will provide. This is a masterpiece of empathy. On behalf of every woman who needs to read this, and hear you read it to them, thank you!

( Posted by: windchime [Member] On: July 19, 2004 )

Moving
This was a very moving poem. Your speech/essay was good as well. The simile of " a pacifier that might stop a train" was what got to me the most. That just seemed to hit the nail on the head and sum up everything in the poem.

It is far too unfortunate that such tragic occurences like this are what bring out the best in many writers.

( Posted by: Virtex [Member] On: July 21, 2004 )

Blind Man's Bluff
How amazing that poems can tell a story as enjoyable as a flash fiction could, but you're the one who's very good in doing that! With this one and your poem 7-11. And yet the poetry remains there. Reading you Claire is a treat for one's self.

( Posted by: peterpaulino [Member] On: July 22, 2004 )

BMB2
It seemed I just commented on one happy theme. But this one, so much unlike your 7-11, is disturbing and poignant.

( Posted by: peterpaulino [Member] On: July 22, 2004 )

Almost
Claire...I know of what you speak...I was in the Women's Shelter some years ago and have seen and heard alot of battered women's stories..I'm not sure I was physically abused ...some might say no...because my ex used to throw his fists around in his sleep..and sometimes they would connect with my face or head...then when I confronted him....his answer would be .....How do you know I was sleeping? I have a poem on this subject ,too...called Only Speak Good of the Dead

( Posted by: Nitz Kitty [Member] On: July 22, 2004 )

claire
I love it when u draw me with your writings
always pictures left pressed on the sleeves of my
day......abuse, if one hasnt experienced it
they cant understand it.
but its a habit born as much as
many things passed down from
one family to another,
although painful, its a familar
place when its all you have
ever known its hard to erase
the continueous walk toward
without knowing.
hardly the same but
but the same as the
information placed
in a computer,
like biting nails,'
I worked with hundreds
of children and adults
who were abused,
they came in my life
time by the dozens
when finding I
too I had lived that
life.

( Posted by: CoCo [Member] On: August 3, 2004 )

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