Fighting Words

     I talk a lot about "the system" when I write, and I am not sure if all of my readers really understand the extent and complexities I am referring to when I use those words. When I talk about the system, I am not only talking about the legal/criminal justice system, but also the many other institutions established within our society that govern our daily lives. Examples would be social services, the healthcare system, the government as a whole, the housing and rental markets, and the job market. I am opening with this explanation because I want it to be very clear that when I refer to "the system," I mean all of it.      My intent with this blog when I started it over five years ago was to give a voice to some of our society's most neglected and/or misunderstood issues and demographics. One of those issues that I have been reluctant to touch on all these years is domestic violence, particularly violence against women. I shied away from the topic for a v...

 In the moments I am Gritting my teeth with the music blasting Tears rushing down my cheeks like The torrential rains of a changing climate So violated by my own desire to just Say fuck it all And let go of the wheel I wish you were here to see How much I never cared... It is beyond All reason and all rationale how All I want in those moments is To feel your arms even though I  Fear your hands And everything about you. But if you think I am fine then you Are a far greater fool than I ever  Imagined was possible I am not fine I did not want this ending And I did not make it this way I suffered in silence to avoid it Trying to will you into being okay But just like I am not fine You were never okay Never would be okay Maybe someday we will both Look back on this and wonder how Two hopelessly shattered creatures thought they could Pick up all the pieces without Both of them always bleeding...