"Who Says?"
We currently have some really good discussions going on about domestic abuse. It has been triggering memories for me, which means I am going to need to withdraw from some of the discussions for a bit while I regain my own personal equilibrium.
I have what can politely be called a family history of dysfunction, which includes three of my sisters having partners who were arrested for domestic abuse. I started having to deal with this dynamic with my older step-sister while I was still a teenager back in the 1980s. I wrote the following song (lyrics only - not a musical person) over a period of time while I struggled with my own conflicted feelings of anger, betrayal, guilt and helplessness.
It is always dedicated to those who know the truth of the words at the deepest levels possible; I wish healing to all. While some scars will remain forever, this was one of the ways I struggled to accept the unacceptable, and come to terms with the patterns of abuse that permeate the lives of so many.
Thank you for reading.
"Who Says?"
He wasn't perfect.
He wasn't great.
But God! You loved him anyway.
He'd say three words.
You'd start to fly.
Once the world was wonderful
And you could touch the sky…
And who says love is blind?
And who says love is….
But you're nobody’s punching bag.
You're nobody's clown.
And no one's got the right
To hit you
Cause *they're* down.
But you still don't believe
And you still don't leave
You stay.
And who says love's not blind?
And who says….
He says you're the problem
As he raises his fist.
And you start to wonder
Why do you resist
His words?
It doesn't happen every night.
Keep the bruises out of sight!
Don't tell!
And who says love is …
And who says love is …
You thought you understood.
Sometimes he'd get scared.
Afraid you'd run away.
So he'd push and he'd push
And he'd push and he'd push
To prove you'd go away.
And who says love is blind?
And who says….
But you're nobody’s punching bag.
You're nobody’s clown.
And no one's got the right
To hit you
Cause *they’re* down.
And you finally believe
And you finally leave
And then
You hear your DAUGHTER say
“He isn't perfect.
“He isn't great.
“But GOD……!!!”
And who says loves not blind?
Who says?