Simply a meditation on power and overcoming its shackles. Amy
More Than This
She burned with the anger of the powerless.
That incendiary pissed-off-edness:
Light the fuse, fueled by years
wriggling under the thumb of
a cruel, oppressive man…
There must be more than this.
Seething through silent beatings
which left no marks, bruising only her ego,
mangling her tangled inner weavings,
thread by thread he delighted in pulling apart
the uniqueness she had once treasured.
There should be more than this.
When at last the reaching occurred
(God to her? Her hand outstretched to the Divine?),
the tinderbox of regret, hatred, guilt
burst forth in flame, melting away
tarred resins of the past.
There can be more than this.
Emerging from the fire,
refined to her pure self,
she took her little girl’s hand and smiled.
His pursuit was futile,
for she finally possessed an unbreakable truth:
There will be more than this.
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
Debbie
I really felt this Amy. Thank you so much for saying what we may feel and experience, but may not be able to voice. Have you heard a song by Mercy Me called, “You’re Beautiful”? There is a line it in that says, “you were made for so much more than this.” Your poem confirms that too. God bless you.
Sharp Little Pencil
Debbie, yes, I have heard that song, and I love it. Thanks for the comparision – I’m flattered! God bless you, too, Amy
WarmSunshine
Nice one! 🙂
I’m attempting to do poetry these days, but it’s gona be lotsa time when I’m close to being as good as you!
Sharp Little Pencil
Mehreen, you are doing nice work at your blog – I was just there and commented! Glad you are tackling things like haiku – I rarely take on forms, so good for you! Thanks, Amy
The We Write Poems prompt (there is a link for that site on my posting – try it!): https://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/bound-writers-island/
Dick Jones
A fine containment and focussing of anger. The chanting repetition of the end-lines and its turnaround in conclusion work really well.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Dick. I was originally going for a “bop,” which does employ that repetitive line (including the adjusted verbiage), but the “rules” of the form were too constricting for me. So, just as in jazz, I simply used it as a refrain. Appreciate your feedback! Peace, Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
I so love this! Wonderfully written, with a triumphant message!
Sharp Little Pencil
Sherry, this means a lot to me. Thanks for seeing the triumph for what it is. Took me years to get there – and I’m still writing in the third person… A.
Kim Nelson
Decisiveness seems never to be immediate. This piece smartly leads us through its development.
Sharp Little Pencil
It’s all about the process. Life, all about the journey. And every wound leaves a scar that can be a positive or negative reminder, depending on what the injury taught you.
Carl
This is a powerful journey from frustration to control, self-doubt to certainty. Heart breaking.
Sharp Little Pencil
Very sensitively said, Carl. Appreciate the feedback as well as the thoughtful tracing of my journey. Good news – I got past it!
ladynimue
You nailed it well !
there’s never a stop to the abuse until one gathers the power to fight back !
Kudos for such a brave poem !
Sharp Little Pencil
nimue, you are one of the poets who helps me stay brave in expressing myself, so thank you! Amy
uponthewingsofnight
This is a very powerful poem about a journey that was very necessary to take. It reminds me of a song title, Light Comes Out of Black. I know that the relationship I have with my wife has always been based on mutual respect, mutual trust, open communication and treating each other like equals(which we will always be). Brett