{I wrote this poem as a salute to all the women through the generations, who have been required to play second fiddle in their own marriages, allowing their husband to be dominant, even at the risk of losing their own identity.
Fortunately I have not had such a marital experience myself, though I have experienced what it is like to feel nullified, even for a short time, by dominant or ruthless or thoughtless personalities.
I meant the title to be somewhat tounge-in-cheek, since this expression and its vulgar cousin are usually only applied to men.
I also left out the punctuation on purpose, to convey a hollow, hopeless tone.}
All my life
With scraps from your table
Ive nibbled at edges
Ribs riddling my skin.
All my life
I’ve yearned for approval
Absorbed strokes, dismissals
Endured all your cruel kicks and hits.
All my life
Ive waited in shadows
Ive mouthed faint opinions
Your own: I agreed with it.
All my life
My corked fizzy innards
Compressed, nearly burst
Where my thin skin begins
As distinct
From your whip.
Copyright 2019 Andrea LeDew
You captured the hopelessness well.
Thanks Liz!