Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Ali Cobby Eckermann

Intervention Allies

Intervention Allies

Intervention Allies

When john howard said
let’s have an intervention
the women shouted yes!

we’re sick of the drinking
the weekend footy trips away
happy hours in hotels
without bringing their pay home to us
and sometimes losing their jobs
when they don’t know when to stop

we’re sick of the sarcasm
the fights the occasional black eye
their priority for their mates
over us and the children
we’re sick of their drunken breath
exploding in unjustified abuse
the words that can’t be retrieved
when he crawls back into bed

Yes
the women shouted
let’s have the intervention

The Aboriginal women
weren’t so sure
Close

Intervention Allies

When john howard said
let’s have an intervention
the women shouted yes!

we’re sick of the drinking
the weekend footy trips away
happy hours in hotels
without bringing their pay home to us
and sometimes losing their jobs
when they don’t know when to stop

we’re sick of the sarcasm
the fights the occasional black eye
their priority for their mates
over us and the children
we’re sick of their drunken breath
exploding in unjustified abuse
the words that can’t be retrieved
when he crawls back into bed

Yes
the women shouted
let’s have the intervention

The Aboriginal women
weren’t so sure

Intervention Allies

Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère