Do You See Him (Follow Up To 'Do You See Her') Poem by Tammi Tomlinson

Do you see him?
The tall man who isn't smiling.
The one you said was always happy?
See the small woman beside him?
She makes him like that.

Do you see him?
The tall man with the scratches down his face?
The one you assumed had been playing with the cat?
See the small woman beside him?
She did that.

Do you see him?
The tall man who looks so frail?
The one who told you everything was alright?
See the small woman holding his hand?
She's the one who makes him depressed.

Do you see him?
The tall man who keeps looking at you?
The one you thought was hitting on you?
See the small woman behind him?
She's the one making him silently plead for help.

Do you see him?
The tall man being slapped for no reason?
See the small woman hitting him?
She's the one who has anger issues.

Do you see him?
The tall man laying in his final resting place?
The one you though was fine?
See the small woman shedding crocodile tears?
She's the one who drove him to suicide.

Imagine your best friend, once a happy go lucky care free person,
Suddenly changed,
To be withdrawn from the world,
Always covered in bruises and cuts,
Making excuses as to not show their black eyes.

Would you have the heart to tell them that abuse isn't right?
Would you have the courage to take them away from their abuser?
Would you have the decency to help them when they are most vulnerable?
That's all they really pray for you know.
Someone, just one person, to lend a helping hand, to encourage that first step away from abuse.
Could that hand be yours?