There is no dignity in begging
In begging someone not to hurt you
In begging “please”
In begging forgiveness
In pleading for your own safety
A safety that ought to be yours by right

There is no dignity in fear
In the unreasonable, unspeakable, gut
Wrenching fear
And the panic that comes
When they can do anything to you
And you can do nothing

There is no dignity in being screamed at
Like a child
In being degraded before others

In having strings pulled
Like a puppet

There is no dignity in the fear
That clutches at your heart when
They say “we’ll talk about this later
In that tone of voice
And you think they mean in bed
Suddenly terrified
At that point
You would rather throw yourself
In front of a train
Than displease them further
So you shut up
And you do as they say

There is no dignity, no humanity in someone
Other than yourself
Having complete and utter control
Over the ratios of pain and fear in your life

There is no dignity in being a wife.

copyright MDS 1996. All rights reserved.