The following poem was written by Nellie, Fiona, Priscilla, Sharon, Polly, Elaine, Brenda, Penny and Marian. These women have been victims of domestic abuse and have been supported by Women’s Aid East and Midlothian. The poem is their collective work, around the Dangerous Women Project‘s question: ‘what does it mean to be a dangerous woman?’ It results from a bibliotherapy/creative writing group run by Lorna Hill, who is currently undertaking a PhD in Creative Writing at Stirling University.
Here are some of the writers’ thoughts about the support they have received from the group:
It gave me back my voice.
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone.
I don’t feel alone anymore.
Women’s Aid gave me my life back.
You think you are the only person going through this. It can be a very isolating experience. But I know everyone in the room has gone through something similar to me.
It’s given me my confidence back. I had none when I first came to this group.
We all help each other. We now value ourselves.
A Dangerous Woman
A dangerous woman is to men,
a woman in power who wants to get even.A dangerous woman is a woman,
who is not afraid to say what’s on her mind.A dangerous woman is a woman,
who knows her rights and values herself.A dangerous woman is a mother,
for her children and a woman who loves.A dangerous woman is a woman,
who can influence others in a negative or positive way.A dangerous woman is a woman,
who, when she realises her man’s an abuser, takes back her life.A dangerous woman is a woman,
that encourages other women to stand up and win.A dangerous woman is me,
when a man tries to bully me.A dangerous woman is a woman,
who now lifts up her head.A dangerous woman is a woman,
with a cause and a passion.A dangerous woman is a woman,
who manipulates and is spiteful.A dangerous woman is to anyone,
who ever harms her family.A dangerous woman is a woman,
with a voice and a sense of humour.A dangerous woman is a woman,
who won’t be stopped and won’t be quiet.A dangerous woman is someone,
who holds any power.A dangerous woman is all of us,
when we refuse to crumble.We are women, independent women,
the strongest you’ll ever come across.We are women who have achieved,
We are women who are phenomenal.
Great to read this and hear these women’s voices strong and clear. Thanks, Lorna Hill for letting us read this poem!