A powerful poem about domestic abuse at Christmas has been doing the rounds online.
The piece highlights the struggles faced by many women who live with abusive partners and shows that the festive season is not always such a positive time for everybody.
UK domestic abuse charity, Refuge, shared the poem last week.
They encouraged people to read the piece as they would a normal poem first – and then read it backwards.
With @mccann_bristol, this Christmas we’re highlighting the hidden nature of domestic abuse. Read this poem one way & it tells a positive story. Read in reverse & uncover a chilling tale of domestic abuse. When your partner turns on you, turn to us – visit https://t.co/MvcGulpB2B pic.twitter.com/Hdnrd16mZ3
— Refuge (@RefugeCharity) December 5, 2018
It reads:
Our first Christmas together
I had been so excited to have
him
around
I had started tiptoeing
down the stairs
And he had a surprise waiting… he threw me
a party
He knows how to spoil
a simple girl!
He called me
in front of everyone
Then he cut me off
a sprig of mistletoe
We shared a kiss underneath
Our friends cheered as
outside, the snow silently settled.
Reading the poem forwards depicts a standard Christmas party where couples are kissing, friends are cheering, and snow is falling.
Reading the piece backwards tells a different story though – one where a party is spoiled, a woman is assaulted, and expectations of a Christmas spent together are not met.
The poem has been shared widely online with many people commending the charity for their creative way of raising awareness.
If you have been affected by any of the details of this article, you can contact Women’s Aid on 1800 341 900.
