The Story of a Toddler Man Tantrum

and the research behind writing about traumatic events

His voice and hands come charging,
gearing toward her throat
to choke the woman out of her.

She pushes her hand out.
I am going to need you to back up sir.
You’re making me uncomfortable.

He roars, 
"You dumb bitch!"
and pounds his fists.
On her desk 
he leaves a dent.

She is untouched
so 
he “didn’t technically do anything.”

He throws open her door
and is allowed to
curse and thrash as he leaves.

She cleans up her office.
Reapplies her lipstick. 
Standing tall at her desk,

she’s back to business.

Note

Sometimes it’s difficult to identify or process a traumatic event in its present happening. It isn’t until afterward that it sinks in how dangerous a situation was or could have been. We keep moving forward because everyone else is. Put down the lipstick to cover up the pain. Take time to acknowledge that time now.

What happened? How did you feel during and afterward? If you notice yourself saying unkind things about yourself and others, take time to forgive. You didn’t know what you know now.

Write

This poem reflects a compilation of true events that happened to me.

I have had several male figures aggressively approach me throughout my time as an educator - from classroom teacher to building administrator. That’s not to say I haven’t had women upset with me, but I’ve never had a woman try to intimidate me with their stature.

There are three instances that stand out to me most. All involving them aggressively walking toward me while I’m behind my desk. I use the word “aggressively” because…