Red Handprint
A Poem on Responding to Mistreatment
A slap across the face, whether literally or figuratively, is unbearable. Tolerance, whether of an irate boss, of being ostracised, or of physical abuse has its limits.
Without condoning any mistreatment, there are healthy ways to respond to it. Staying calm, setting consequences and establishing boundaries are the simplest things we can do to protect ourselves, aside from seeking help.
When the red handprint covers our mouths and silences us, we're not voiceless. These haiku verses will attest to that.
A crimson handprint
Red splashes untouched canvass
Board looks and absorbs
A crimson handprint
Red splashes broken canvass
Board still and stoic
Vermillion colour
Striking at the sides
Edges rein in paint
A scarlet paintbrush
Moves with rage over easel
Aware of its bounds
The painted portrait
Ruby red, the mouth covered
Green, yellows, blues, whites surround
About the Creator
Michelle Liew
Hi, i am an English Language teacher cum freelance writer with a taste for pets, prose and poetry. When I'm not writing my heart out, I'm playing with my three dogs, Zorra, Cloudy and Snowball.
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Comments (2)
Very nice! And unfortunately those giving the abuse would have your lovely haikus go over their head. Thanks for sharing these and here’s to everyone having the courage to stand up to bullies which makes them sit down. Superb and colorful!
Damn impressive!