He's king of the household Three wives in tow Eleven kids and counting Too many names to know
An unconventional lifestyle And therefore it's condemned He has to conceal his marriages He's always having To pretend
He's a seventh generation polygamist It's what he's known all his life But law in America clearly states a man can only have one wife
Women say it's not about falling in love Marriage, they say is dictated by Someone above
There's no giddiness in polygamy No kissing on the first date Elders have the final say when choosing a suitable mate ...or mates
Some men may taken on sisters as wives It's hard to believe this is true They live together in a single home If a third or fourth come along they live there too
It started with a man named Smith He founded Mormonism Though he is much revered Polygamy's incited quite the Schism
Smith said three wives ensures a place in heaven Depends on Interpretation To this Polygamists strongly adhere The church answers with excommunication
Life was hard enough for Polygamists When Warren Jeffs came along He took things to extremes and kicked out those who didn't belong He created in Colorado City a totalitarian state Closed it off to the world He created his own security force to isolate and man the gates
He banned TV's and radio Pulled all the kids out of the school Families were ripped apart Unless they followed his rules
Little girls were taken from home and forced to marry old men Since Jeffs was the prophet No one could stop it Some of the girls were as young as ten
When fundamentalists hijack any religion Things get out of Control In the case of the Latter Day Saints The innocence of children They stole
With over a hundred wives Jeffs was eventually charged with incest and of rape He plucked some of his wives from the seventh grade In the end he just couldn't escape
We haven't heard the end of this Polygamy is here to stay You might not know it at first glance But there are tens of thousands of living this way
Plural marriage has its attributes Family members are always near There's always someone to take of you Nannies and sitters aren't needed here
As long as no one is forced into it People should have a choice
Sharing a husband is the part I can't see A polygamist lifestyle Just isn't for
Comments Header
Dena
Jul 03, 2009 4:16 PM
What a sad world these children live in; they have no choice of their future, no hopes and dreams, all that is to be of their lives is a polygamist lifestyle unless they feel they must get out of it. Sadly, however, most of these children have these thoughts inbedded in them because of the world they were grown up in. Beautiful poem, and it definitely makes me think!
scarlet
Jun 16, 2009 11:15 PM
Dear Lisa, I have followed your career, I admire your work and courage to go to places so that we may know what is going on in the world. I pray now that you will be soon rid of the darkness that has entered your life and separated your sister from you. I can not imagine the horror you are experiencing and a few words from a stranger is all that I can give you for comfort, and the hope that prayers, good thoughts, positive thinking and love will soon reunite you with your sister and heal your family. Thank you for all of the information you have given us, I know all things happen for a reason. It is difficult to imagine the reason why you are experiencing this other than the simple fact that there is so much hatred in the world and misunderstanding. Hopefully in our lifetime all of us will realize that we are all part of the same family and we will stop hurting each other. Stay strong and may your suffering be brief. You are in my thoughts and prayers, until this nightmare ends.
I love the way you write Lisa. That guy above named Al is a real ass hole and probably gets off on words that are totally real and the only way to describe them is the way you did. Little kids do not deserve the life they didn't choose. It's a sad world out there and people like Al need to get their asses kicked. I'm sure he's the same person that called you that "C" word that women hate. I'm really sorry and you and your family are in my prayers because of that North Korean kidnapping. Those people don't know who their fucking with if they think they can mess with the US and its allies. Not just kidnapping reporters but their missile testing and their underground nuclear testing is going to get them cut off from the rest of the world. If not worse. I just hope that your sister and the other girl, (not quite sure who she is) is safe. They're the most paranoid country in the world and they will pay for what they do. I guess we didn't quite finish the job the last Korean War. It took place before I was born but I had a lot of relatives fighting for the US. I'm an Italian-American so most of us are Roman Catholic. My prayers are with you.
Blnbl
Jun 01, 2009 7:13 PM
Lisa, thanks for all the good journalism. You keep us abreast of the "BAD" things out there. You enlighten us to the evils of the world. It's hard to believe these things happen to our children. I pray your sister and friend come home safe and soon. Thanks again.
Leroy
Jun 01, 2009 6:44 PM
I thought the poem was a bit on the accusatory side, but I appreciated the message. I would suggest, however, losing the direct references to Mormonism and approaching the poem in a more indirect manner. Of course you probably don't have too much time to focus on your poetry.
Al
May 20, 2009 6:48 PM
You love to write poems about sex. Sounds like you need some nice cum on your face.
Sep 29, 2008 3:33 PM
Hi Lisa! This message really is in response to your poem on prostitution. I was certainly pleased to see you have a blog. I have always admired you and often wondered how you handle working in a field that can often be so depressing and dark. I am a Montessori teacher and am only certified to teach in private schools. Therefore, the world I see on a daily basis is quite joyful and I often shy away from the darker corners of the world. Recently, well-a year ago- I gave birth to my daughter Olivia. I lead a very serene and happy life. I am too afraid of the darkness (metaphorical) that exists and often turn off the tv or stop reading the paper when it seems to be more than I can handle. But now more than ever before am interested in happiness and peace for my family but also the world's peace and happiness. The reason I admire you so much is because somehow you manage to do the important work that you do with courage, dedication, and curiousity. All with your eyes wide open. I often tell my husband that I wish I had a friend like you. So inspiring. He says the same! I now hope that my daughter will be encouraged by women like yourself and empowered to become an inspired and active member of the world. Keep up the raw honesty. It must be quite cathartic. Jamyn Craft
May 31, 2008 1:29 PM
A beautiful, sad poem. It's not that's it's new, cause it's not. It's just that it IS. I'll never understand this world, but thanks for another moving poem. Take care. Yours In Kindness and Gratitude, Lin S. Goodman
Mar 25, 2008 12:48 PM
Hehe ok on the negative side tons of spelling and grammar mistakes, mm pointing out short comings is fun... sadly i dont know why and this is why the world is going straight to hell. Why do people love to make other peoples lives miserable?
