Ripple Effect

Ripple Effect

He helped himself to a piece of you

A theft of the gravest deceit

You sensed it was wrong, but he was too strong

And slowly you submitted defeat

You might have resisted, still he persisted

He whispered, "Baby, don’t be a tease."

He sold you some lies, ignored your soft cries

To make you weak in the knees

You felt discarded, perhaps broken hearted

Devalued year after year

Now as you age, you’re consumed with rage

It becomes so blatantly clear

The fountain of youth, is only half truth

Biology is not all to blame

He needs control, objective, a goal

He’s pulled like a moth to the flame

He needs fresh skin, to tamper within

One that doesn’t know better

One that’s been taught, to give what she’s got

One who’s untroubled by fetter

He blames your sag and calls you a hag

Quietly, it’s your mind he fears

The wisdom you’ve gained as tolerance waned

Your heart’s been strengthened by tears

You’re not alone. As you have been shown.

Many more were robbed and abused

Deflecting the blame, he distributes the shame

Lady Justice awaits the accused

It’s too much to feel, how can we heal

The wound is too wide and too deep

It’s bigger than you, so what should you do?

When all you can do is weep

Our children will learn, as the pages will turn

They are watching with open eyes

What does this mean, If we don’t intervene?

And ignore the perpetual lies

You have power within, when hope feels thin

An influence, a breath to the fire

The effort of you, compounded by few

Will ripple the world entire

Explore your heart, the initial start

What stirs or echoes within?

Girls need to confide; boys need a guide

This is where you can begin

Be the wave of a wand. A drop in the pond.

A whisper in eerie silence.

Be a helping hand. A courageous stand.

An end to sexual violence.

-- M. Jacklin