If you haven't read Micalpeace's post, "Be Thankful," maybe it would be good to do so before you read this one. It's here:

http://open.salon.com/blog/micalpeace/2009/11/25/be_thankful

It makes reference to domestic violence. Reading it put me in mind of a song I wrote and put on an album I recorded on my Mac...

(it's here: http://www.lulu.com/content/compact-disc/office-job-%28new%29/2450879)

It's written from the perspective of a woman who runs a refuge for abused wives/partners. It's kind of an apology to the female gender for the stupid mindless gits that exist as part of mine (male). Anyway, for what it's worth, here it is:

On a grey November morning 

when the sun refused to shine

She walked out of his life and into mine

She told me of her fear 

as she crept silently away

He’d think to let her go would be a crime

It took a lot of courage

to do the thing she’s done

But when you’ve lived in darkness

you need to find the sun

Blows don’t make a man

Punches? They’re not so cool

The way to gain respect

is unknown to the fool

She’s one of several million 

who’ve suffered in this way

At the hands of some dumb fool 

who thinks he’s right

And her children they keep crying 

‘cause they just don’t understand

Why their daddy hits their mummy every night

They say you reap what you sow

suppose that must be so

But sometimes it’s a lesson

that you learn blow by blow

So I just sit here and I wait

for another hand to come 

and open my front gate

They have to have a place 

where they go and stay

A hope that life may still 

bring them a better way 

Blows don’t make a man

Punches? They’re not so cool

The way to gain respect

is unknown to the fool