Until There Is No List of Names

A poem by Fi Read, one of the founding members of 16 Days of Activism Penzance. Fi shared this powerful piece at last year’s Solidarity Walk and Vigil, offering a moving reminder of why we continue to stand together and call for an end to violence against women and girls.

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What’s the point?

Back here

year after year

same old march

same old slogans.

Names on the list

different names

different stories

same shocking endings.

Women’s lives’

cut short

by men’s fists

knives and cruelty.

So why bother?

Why keep banging

on the same closed doors?

The point is:

We

are here.

You

are here.

And together

We won’t let this lie

won’t turn a blind eye

pretend things are fine

because women are still dying

and it’s not ok.

But there is hope

always hope

that things can

and will get better

which is why

I

am here.

So if one person

sees us marching

reads our banners

then it’s worth it.

If one woman

stops hiding bruises

leaves for safety

then it’s worth it.

And if one man

no longer

hits his partner

then it’s worth it.

One daughter

dumps her

angry boyfriend

then it’s worth it.

One son

learns respect for

girls and women

then it’s worth it.

If one neighbour

calls the cops it’s worth it.

One family

starts afresh it’s worth it.

One community says ‘No’

to domestic and sexual abuse

it is worth it.

We are that community

We believe it’s possible

And we are here.

Will always

be here.

Marching

shouting

demanding

hammering home

this point.

Until there is

no list of names

And no more violence.