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Ten Cents a Dance

2/3/2020

 
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“Ten Cents a Dance”

She spun and turned and
threw her head back in laughter. Music surrounded only her flushing her cheeks ••• crimson highlighting the fire in her eyes. She looked lovely •••
oh so lovey.
He stared down at his shoes ••• they reflected his frozen smile
as the sounds of the wounded rang in his head. His large hand c1utchea at the ticket dampening it with his fear.
He stared •••
but he saw not her ••• heard not her laughter ••• sought not her joy.
“Oh Lord, it’s been so long •••
so very, very long.” ~ow, the music slowed
bodies swayed in the soft rhythm. She stood before him •••
smiling, coaxing
and the strong scent of lavender enticed him to say •••
yes.
The ticket belonged to her. He could feel the gentleness of her soothing touch
through the scratchiness of his uniform. His throat ached,
but his heart ached more. “It’s been so long •••
God, it’s been so long.”
She smiled and lay her head down
resting on his shoulder-. He felt timid ••• shy.
He reached around encircled her waist,
felt the woman warmth beneath the softness of silk.
Felt her curves,
tasted the sweetness of her hair as it
caressed his lips. His eyes burned
as with the sting of tear gas. He couldn’t stop his tears
He held her •••
swayed to the strains of drifting music. Held her as if she were a porcelain doll •••
gently ••• tenderly with reverence and cried.
They danced ••• slowly ••• together.
It was her ticket It was his dance. It was her job but •••
they were his memories and
“Oh God, it’s been •••
so ••• long.”

The Alley

2/1/2020

 
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The Alley
by K. Foley  | '84

A montage of urban existence…
                                         the alley.
an arena of trash and treasure…of tragedy…
of life
acted out against the backdrop of
                                        screaming sirens…
                                        giggling children…
and the shuffling feet of the old.
How many lovers have held hands…
                                        kissed secretly…feverishly…
Savoring the aloneness of the dusk…
                                        in the alley.
How much money has passed hands… furtively…
Suspicious eyes darting…piercing the dark…
                                        in the alley.
How many feet, encumbered by the weight of law enforcement gear
have raced the hunt…
                                        ​in the alley.
and yet, despite life…
above all…because of it…
grass grows amid the rubble…
and ancient women continue to sweep…
                                       ​the alley.

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    About the Author

    In the provocative spirit of Matilda Joslyn Gage, Gloria Anzaldua, and Mary Daly, Kathleen Hoy Foley expands and deepens the voice of female experience.

    Raw. Uncompromising. Compassionate. Deliberately antagonistic. Kathleen writes to awaken the courage within the reader.


    TO THE SURVIVOR
    If you are a person who was victimized as a child or as an adult, I am so very sorry you ever had to suffer at the hands of a predator. 

    I am sorry you were abused, sorry no one protected you, sorry you have felt so alone, sorry you have been so afraid then and in the now. I am so sorry for the loss of your innocence. 

    You were and are entitled to you life. And you had a right to inherit your own body. And no matter what you did or what you think you failed to do you are not to blame. Sexual abuse is never a victim's choice. Sexual abuse is something that was done to your body not something you wanted. 

    This is an excerpt from: 

    http://web.archive.org/web/20130101063123/http://true-perspective.org 

    Kathleen and I encourage you to visit this site for perspective on your ordeal. Live happy and whole. Claim you power! 

    You are your own authority.

    Question Everything.  Including social, religious & political authorities

    Learn to listen and respond to your intuition.  It is never wrong.

    Learn to be impolite.  It must be part of your defense system.

    Nothing is unspeakable.

    Stare truth in the eye and speak it.

    You name abuse.  Listen to your body.  It will tell you.  It is never wrong. 

    Stare abuse in the eye and speak it.

    Stare abusers in the eye and name them.

    Use your voice.  Use your words. 

    BE LOUD.  Violence against girls, boys, women and men hides in the silent shadows.

    Know that you are powerful.

    KNOW THAT YOUR VOICE IS POWERFUL.   USE IT.



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