Haiku Reflections

Sometimes I come across a haiku such as this one, one which seems like the beginning of a story. Although no gendered pronouns are used in this poem, I picture a woman seated alone at a café. Perhaps she’s wearing a scarf wrapped loosely around her head and neck, to hide other signs of disarray or violence. Her eyes, though ‘shielded’ behind her dark shades, dart nervously about the room, assessing every face she sees. Is she looking for the person who has beaten her? Or is she concerned her ‘dark secret’ has been discovered by those around her? Unfortunately, this is a story often repeated, but far too often it’s heard too late to help. This woman has most likely been beaten by a man, a victim of a ‘domestic dispute.’ So many who find themselves in this situation are terrified to leave the cycle of violence. Maybe she grew up in similar circumstances and, though the situation is harmful to her, she might be numbed by how familiar it feels. Maybe there are children to consider. Perhaps she’s concerned about going to the police, worried that nothing will be done and only more violence will be triggered. Maybe she’s terrified of losing her life at the hands of her assailant if she were to reveal her ‘dark secret.’ A study conducted by the UN confirmed that 49% of women around the globe who experience domestic violence do not report it. Whatever her reason may be for not speaking out, she remains silent, her blackened eye concealed behind the dark shades. The secret of domestic violence unfortunately is summed up with the last line – it remains ‘hidden in plain sight.’ The poet has crafted a bold haiku about this painful issue.
—Becka Chester