Disturbing the Peace (I am a coward.)

sounds like a jerk, if you think someone it being hurt make the call !

it is hard to be the one to stop it. But how much harder for the one living it.

If you wtiness it, then it becomes your business. Don't be afraid to help someone in need.

10...Do try to help if you can, especially for that little boy.

I am old enough to remember the young woman who was crying out for help near her apartment in New York City when the first, "I don't want to get involved excuse" was used by her neighbors and other residents of the building. It set a precedent for people to look the other way and pretend they were not a part of the entire action. But I agree that you have a responsibility to act if you can or seek help if you can't. The next threatened person might just be you.

Call child protective services if you think the child is is trouble! You can't do much for her if she doesn't want help!

I remember that women in New York she was stabbed to death and no one even made a phone call

Just wanted to let you know I gave you a 10!

Read my
A Child's View.

thanks for sharing..

I hope this was not you Dena. God, what a nightmare.

Ernie

If you think someone needs help then try to help. Call someone, police, somebody. It could save someone's life.
I also agree with Ernie. I hope this is not Dena. If it is, we are with you Dena. We at Gather will help because there's nice people here. But we need to know.

I would call and just report it if you feel that the child is in trouble there are to many times that no one cares in our world and something happens that should never have. I know it is hard and you have to do what you feel is right.

Dena,
That is a wonderful writing. And oh so true for today's society. How many times I have heard these things and done nothing. But you know over time you become tough and it comes to you that you have to get a handle on the situation. It is so easy just to close our eyes.
I appreciate your writing. You've told it like it is. This is life.

Follow your instincts and do what you need to do, but no matter what, protect the innocent!

I agree follow your instincts.

From what I understand, you can call the police and even if you give your name you can ask for it to be with held. esp. if you live next door or in the same building or house.
I also would love for you to present that poem to the local child protection services. It is a great poem and right on the target of what people go through. When I worked as a therapist i would have loved that poem to put up where people could see it.

Hi Dena, I'm going to comment in two veins to this poem. First, if this is from experience - make the call. Don't question yourself. Second, from a poetic standpoint I wasn't too sure of the beginning but then, when you got to "He does not know - I am here," that was the beginning of WOW. I'd personally get rid of everything before that line and keep the rest. No explanation (which I think is what you are trying to do in the first few lines) is necessary. Cut right to the chase. I reread it - I'd also get rid of the last line and end with "How." Dang, this is good. Nice job!

Corrie's advice is sound. The first part of the poem is lovely, but the second, everything after "He does not know" is powerful in a way that doesn't need introduction.

Dena, you have an uncanny gift that tugs at the heart and memories. Thank you.

Dena, I know it is a tough one. But I'd make that call. Yes, I would. It might very well mean the difference between life and death. Maybe not this time or even the next, but if it continues the way it is only horror can come from it. Children do not easily get over seeing violence. And it doesn't disappear when people reach adulthood. It is always there. Best to nip it in the bud.

I agree with everyone else. Make the call. Well written, powerful and disturbing.

I have not known you long but you do not strike me as a coward. You have come up against one of the distasteful hardships visited upon one human by another.
Bullies come in all shapes and sizes. In this particular case, confronting this person with the fractured and inflamed ego can put you in danger and definitely will put his family in danger, most probably at times when you can not help them. These bullies are very careful with their timing.
I was faced with a similar situation and the most productive thing I could do was call the proper authorities. They respected my request not to be involved. Police came and talked to the (slanderous but appropriate cuss words omitteed). I could hear the conversation: "This is not the first time we have been called to your residence for this same problem. You are aware that you are on our watch list. If anything happens to the other people in your apartment - or in this complex, you are a prime suspect ......" I am sure he was very angry but he knew he was being watched, by police and by his neighbors. There were no more disturbances.
I don't know if this solved the problem. They moved.
A bully who retains this behavior into his/her adulthood will probably be hurtful and distructive to others until he/she is distroyed. That sounds pretty horrible, doesn't it? I wish I had some nice or insightful way of ending this. This is a bad situation.
I agree with Marge. Make the call.

Very well written but if its true, I'd be calling the cops or the child protective unit.

Dena - It is unconsionable if someone is indeed hurting or abusing a child. To stand back and just watch this is difficult at best. If you are experiencing what you have written please do not be apathetic to this and help in any way possible.

Calling the police, can still be made anonymously; so you wouldn't have to have fear of being exposed.

God bless you and yours and Good luck to you my friend.

ty for sharing

yeow!!

I HEAR YOU ALL---WILL DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. Thanks all. Ed . . . for the child, I will make the call.

Good for you Dena! It's hard, and you keep second-guessing yourself - but you just do it!

Great poem! I agree with the idea of cutting out most of the introduction... you don't need it!

Great job.

Dena it is avery powerful poem and yes you should call especially if you believe a child is in trouble.

Dena if it is a reality based poem, make the call. If not it is a great and tragic poem.

good one Dena.

Disturbing and well written.

You can't help someone who doesn't admit that they have a problem... as galling and gut-wrenching it can be. There are actions you can take, but ultimately the only successful ones are those by the people IN the situation. An Excellent piece of poetry that captures this dilemma beautifully!

..
U wishing you peace and laughter

So powerful!

heartbreaking. I agree. call the cops.