blanket party

[saw]

visiting a friend
eating stir fry in her
screened in tent
she calls the gazebo...
a troubled scream
from the yellow house in back,
then a male voice angry and loud
then silence
the ambulance arrives first
followed by the squad car
in minutes

domestic violence is real
third time this week
she's gotta get out of there
but sometimes there is no means
for escape and the victim
can't see any light, and darkness
is as normal as the next breath
I want to help but would probably
make it worse or get shot, or get
her shot

in the Navy we used to have blanket parties
at night after taps if a guy was a major
fuck-up causing our liberties to be revoked
we'd cover him up in a blanket when he was asleep
so no one could be identified and fists would fly
like pigeons from hell

[WIREMAN]

sounds like he'd get the idea....

[Doreen Peri]

Strikingly vivid ... Domestic violence sucks. It's unfortunately widespread.

The last stanza is fabulous... would stand alone as a poem.

[leafsailors ghost]

Unfortunately these folks like violence,they expect it, I can see a blanket party would work in the military , but the poor woman is then left alone with the man and revenge is taken, I found out the hard way when I worked a fellow over who had smacked his little frail wife around( she was a childhood friend of mine) he took it out on her,fi fortunately she finally left him and he is now in jail for other abuse. These people who are bullies are mentally ill until we recognize this it is hopeless, I understand the poems direction and completely get the frustration, If I hear abuse I still go and try to interrupt it,it is dangerous but I can not stand by and do nothing .The poem brings a truly difficult situation to light and has much food for thought.

[the mingo]

in the Navy we used to have blanket parties

Saw that too - didn't take long to learn that in the Navy you were always part of the team - or else.

[saw]

appreciate the comments fellow colleagues....a confusing dynamic between victomizer and victim...often a perverse co-dependency keeps outsiders away...those that may want to help...

In the Navy ( because they are supposedly training you for war )...and your on a ship ( independent from the mainland world ) you do come to understand that it might be pretty damn important that everyone learn their jobs really well....that any weak link, might cause you to, well.....sink
Therefore the blanket party is an ultra direct method of getting someone.....On Board....so to speak......

[the mingo]

Hard facts but true