Bruises
The bruises of child abuse20 total reviews
Comment from karenina
A troubled girl, secrets kept. Denial of reality to keep a sense of reality that is so skewed it's painful. Nice 75 word flash with social commentary abounding. Abuse, denial, neglect...and the wheel of life keeps turning.
Excellent offering.
Karenina
reply by the author on 09-Dec-2021
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A troubled girl, secrets kept. Denial of reality to keep a sense of reality that is so skewed it's painful. Nice 75 word flash with social commentary abounding. Abuse, denial, neglect...and the wheel of life keeps turning.
Excellent offering.
Karenina
Comment Written 09-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 09-Dec-2021
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Thanks for taking the time to review.
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If I were not 90 reviews behind I would have said so much more!
K
Comment from amahra
Even though we live in such a world today of child abuse, still it's a very disturbing story. But one you told well, though word restricted. The artwork you chose was haunting but appropriate.
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Even though we live in such a world today of child abuse, still it's a very disturbing story. But one you told well, though word restricted. The artwork you chose was haunting but appropriate.
Comment Written 05-Dec-2021
Comment from estory
This little piece packed a subtle punch. You have a real poignant moment here, a mother and daughter struggling to keep an even keel through this abusive relationship, that is hidden from public view. Again, what makes this approach so powerful is that you just raise the questions, you portray the moment, and let us wrestle with it. The subtlety of this is also quite powerful. It has this innocent veneer, and that makes the underlying pain and struggle all the more sharp. estory
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This little piece packed a subtle punch. You have a real poignant moment here, a mother and daughter struggling to keep an even keel through this abusive relationship, that is hidden from public view. Again, what makes this approach so powerful is that you just raise the questions, you portray the moment, and let us wrestle with it. The subtlety of this is also quite powerful. It has this innocent veneer, and that makes the underlying pain and struggle all the more sharp. estory
Comment Written 05-Dec-2021
Comment from Ric Myworld
A little makeup can hide a lot of sins and abuse. But no amount can ease the hurt and pain harnessed inside or stop the mistreated from wondering why or wishing a bus would fall from the sky. Thanks for sharing.
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A little makeup can hide a lot of sins and abuse. But no amount can ease the hurt and pain harnessed inside or stop the mistreated from wondering why or wishing a bus would fall from the sky. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 05-Dec-2021
Comment from BethShelby
Child abuse is so sad. The mom in this short story shows she feels empathy for her daughter and wants to sooth her pain, but maybe she was afraid to stop the abuse from happening. It happens too often to innocent children and an abuser doesn't usually stop with just abusing children. They are cowards who take the frustration in life out on those weaker than themselves. Well written flash.
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Child abuse is so sad. The mom in this short story shows she feels empathy for her daughter and wants to sooth her pain, but maybe she was afraid to stop the abuse from happening. It happens too often to innocent children and an abuser doesn't usually stop with just abusing children. They are cowards who take the frustration in life out on those weaker than themselves. Well written flash.
Comment Written 05-Dec-2021
Comment from Mary Vigasin
Domestic violence is too often hidden due to fear of the abuser or fear of being left with no resources or hopelessness. however, when it comes to a child being hurt that is when the mom should do more than cover the bruises.
Well-written flash story on an important subject.
Good luck in the contest.
Mary
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Domestic violence is too often hidden due to fear of the abuser or fear of being left with no resources or hopelessness. however, when it comes to a child being hurt that is when the mom should do more than cover the bruises.
Well-written flash story on an important subject.
Good luck in the contest.
Mary
Comment Written 05-Dec-2021
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Thank you for sharing this contest entry with us. I know this happens way too often. What I have never understand is why these women protect the abusers. That I will never understand. I enjoyed reading and good luck.
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Thank you for sharing this contest entry with us. I know this happens way too often. What I have never understand is why these women protect the abusers. That I will never understand. I enjoyed reading and good luck.
Comment Written 04-Dec-2021
Comment from Pantygynt
The power of the understated hint is clearly demonstrated in this short but effective tale of parental abuse. the fact that Mary waits for her father to leave the house before going downstairs is the first instance and the second shows that her mother is in collusion with her father by applying the masking makeup to Mary's bruises.
We need no more.
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The power of the understated hint is clearly demonstrated in this short but effective tale of parental abuse. the fact that Mary waits for her father to leave the house before going downstairs is the first instance and the second shows that her mother is in collusion with her father by applying the masking makeup to Mary's bruises.
We need no more.
Comment Written 04-Dec-2021
Comment from Senyai
Tim,
Yes, this is such a affirmation that the abuse is just something to deal with ... to hide so it can continue on. The mother is applying the affirmations to the child's face and with every stroke, she is justifying the abuse her husband did against his/her own child. A mother lioness would not tolerate this of the male if he came to tear into one of their cubs. She would do everything in her power to protect her young, even if the lioness had to try and kill the cub's father.
Are we lesser than the animals here? Society demands appearances. Some well meaning people fall victim to cover up the abuse of another. It is a crime in itself.
I know your mother and your sister are the subjects of your 75 word entry for flash fiction, Tim. It is haunting and so very sad. But should you continue to write of this in so many different ways? I'm not sure it is helpful for you to do so. Leave this crime and let it be ... one day. God is aware and He will fill your need for resolution when you are ready to let it lie.
Always,
Senyai
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Tim,
Yes, this is such a affirmation that the abuse is just something to deal with ... to hide so it can continue on. The mother is applying the affirmations to the child's face and with every stroke, she is justifying the abuse her husband did against his/her own child. A mother lioness would not tolerate this of the male if he came to tear into one of their cubs. She would do everything in her power to protect her young, even if the lioness had to try and kill the cub's father.
Are we lesser than the animals here? Society demands appearances. Some well meaning people fall victim to cover up the abuse of another. It is a crime in itself.
I know your mother and your sister are the subjects of your 75 word entry for flash fiction, Tim. It is haunting and so very sad. But should you continue to write of this in so many different ways? I'm not sure it is helpful for you to do so. Leave this crime and let it be ... one day. God is aware and He will fill your need for resolution when you are ready to let it lie.
Always,
Senyai
Comment Written 04-Dec-2021
Comment from Katherine M. Kean
Domestic violence is treated as a dirty, hidden occurrence in general, and that is shown so clearly here in just seventy-five words. The horror is the lifelong marks it leaves on the victims mind, and of course the fact that physical marks can escalate in intensity, even to the death.
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Domestic violence is treated as a dirty, hidden occurrence in general, and that is shown so clearly here in just seventy-five words. The horror is the lifelong marks it leaves on the victims mind, and of course the fact that physical marks can escalate in intensity, even to the death.
Comment Written 04-Dec-2021