THE GOOD WIFE -  (based on true events)

She had been a
Good wife
Barely more than a child
When she was
Wooed by her
Husband to be
Who
Subsequently
Consequently
Screwed
Her in more ways than one

She had been a
Good wife
Eight fine sons
Two beautiful daughters
Who grew
To see their father
Always beating up
On their mother

The torment never
Seemed
To end
Nearly drove them
Round the bend
It was
Something they
Learnt to endure
Just because
They were poor

She had been a
Good wife
Worked hard
To keep her family
Together
Toiling night and day
All kinda way
Selling herb at reggae shows
Vibing the music
Rocking away her woes

One night she came in late
Her beloved man
Punched her in the face and
Long after the pain and
Ringing in her left ear
Had ceased
She realized
She could no longer hear
Terrified and bereft
The good wife was
Suddenly
Half deaf
So
She decided with a heavy heart
That she and her man
Would have to part
Yes, she thought,
I have been a good wife
But I have to flee
To save my life

It was not easy
It was rough and hard
But she packed her stuff
And took leave of her yard
Biting her lip
The tears flowed down her cheek
As she walked through the gate
She felt wasted, weak.

Yes,
She had been a good wife
It was not too long
Before she found a new
Companion
Handsome, fine, talented
Musician
And tho’
He was often away
On tour
She looked forward to
When he would
Knock on her door
Bestow her with his
Beaming smile
And be with her
Even for a little while.

She knew she was not
His only girl
He had
Quite a few
Around the world
She felt privileged to be
One of those
He would always see
Yes, our good wife
Fell deeply in love
All head over heels
With a very loud thump
Causing a swelling of the brain
Good wife
Acting insane
Smoking cocaine
With the singer
Her sanity left her,
For when he began to molest
Her child
The good wife
Turned a blind eye

And when she lay
Dying of AIDS
Her love for the singer
Still unfazed
He, by the way
Received nuff accolades
And grand celebrations
Of his life
He died leaving six kids
And his wife
And some other children
Too
Whilst the good wife lay
Poverty stricken and
Destitute
Thinking, with remorse and regret
That from the day they met
Her husband
Was never her lover
His cruel treatment
Forcing her to
Turn to another
Now, at the edge
Of the precipice of death
In reviewing her life
She knew
She had been a
Good wife.

© SAJOYA 2001 - (This poem is currently being used as part of the JAS Pum Pum Power campaign for safer sexual practices - The JAS campaign is endorsed by Pum Pum Posse)