Bystander

Sir Crow a very dark write with a lethal ending with don't tell a soul menacing..

excellent ink..

with love Crim

You're right.  It is lethal, but to whom is yet to be determined....  Thanks Crim!  Love, Crow

Sounds like domestic violence gone awry as they all do...:) Good read Crowfly.

Quite right, Grace.  It spirals very rapidly out of control.  Thank you!    

Upon first glance this reads domestic violence...
But after reading through it a few times I feel its more about the murder of the couple..
Feels like a psychotic episode of the neighbor, being pushed to the edge from the fighting.. Just my thoughts

But in any case a wonderful write crowfly!

This is about domestic violence, and the neighbor is overwhelmed by its persistence.  He could make a difference if he spoke up.  It would ordinarily be none of his business, but the volume of the rage and violence can't be ignored.  It becomes his concern when the violence bleeds through his wall together with a plea for help.  The neighbor is tempted to remain an "innocent bystander" (an oxymoron in my view), taking no action, not even calling the cops.  There was a notorious case in New York years ago when a woman (Kitty Genovese) was systematically knifed to death in an alley behind an apartment while her neighbors watched from windows overhead.  No one came to help her.  The cops arrived and most of neighbors kept silent, choosing not to get involved.  The woman died, and the killer was never caught unless I'm mistaken.  Harlan Ellison wrote a classic short story about this called "The Whimper of Whipped Dogs," the dogs being the bystanders who might have intervened and saved this woman, or at the very least have been willing to make statements.  "Bystander" is about turmoil on the property where I live and the ostrich mentality that I try to keep to a minimum personally.  I called the cops the other night when violence broke out.  It seemed literally the least I could do. The neighbor inciting the violence was off his meds at the time of the incident and thanked me the next morning.  All I did was pick up the phone and then later make a statement.  So no murder, and a happy ending by local standards.  Anyway, I could have been a lot clearer in writing "Bystander."  I hope this helps.  Thanks for the comment Unseen!   

Typical  knock-down-drag-out domestic scene where the woman
(sometime the  man) is beaten down, bloody and afraid.to
answer the police's questions fearing even worse retaliation.

(On second thought I believe unseen has a handle on it.)

Thanks for the comment Scooter.  I tried to clarify in my long winded reply above.  And thanks for your patience....

Oh the thin walls of apartments hold so many stories of abuse.  Very well inked. It is a story that happens all to often the last stanzas ("Just keep your head down and we'll never tell a soul.") Sounds like society answer for everything.

I call it the Ostrich Syndrome.  Yes, most folks limit their involvement, valuing their own security over that of others.  What they don't see can't hurt them until it breaks down the door.  Thanks DevilsPoet!

Cant believe i missed a Crow piece hunnee bee. The collective conscience has none anymore.  
Remember the last episode of Seinfeld? Thats us. I have a great grey alien pic doung the hear no see no speak no that beeeelawns on this.  
 
We are desensitized, scared, or just dont give a shit.  Lets take a vote on which is worse!
Till its trending. On Nsncy Z GRACE Or dr dreamy Drew and we are outraged!!  
Boohooohooo  
 
You speak crow. With a voice that makes me weak in the knees.  
 
Love  
Jennifer

"We are desensitized, scared, or just dont give a shit."  Exactly right Jennifer, and very well said.  These conditions apply until the threat becomes personal in so many situations.  I've been guilty of this myself, but I'm working on it....  

"And one keening plea for assistance"
~this one wud spur me to spill it all & sign the 'witness' line..;(

too many occurrences are overlooked w/violence near home & I think your
pic & tone to be a perfect motivator to any bystander. reminds me of an
Alice Cooper title.. "hey stoopid" ... yeps, play that one loud for the silent! ;)

excellent morale by write, dearest Crow.. you do shine of an early morn on read..
heart-hugs fer speaking up, standing ground-- no matter the hassle!
~T

Thanks T!  I've too often been a guilty bystander.  I still am sometimes, but I'm trying to keep my eyes open and speak up when things become perilous.
I've haven't heard that Alice Cooper tune!  I'll check it out.  I love "Billion Dollar Babies."  "We go dancing nightly...."

Hi Crow

This is an amazing commentary on reality. Just lip service and no action. But an interesting thought you brought up by uploading the 3 monkeys. I am not sure if you know, but these 3 monkeys hold a great significance in my country. They symbolize the idea of quite the opposite of what you used them for. They signify no tolerance. No one should talk, hear or witness any thing that is wrong in society. :)

Thank you Aarti!  I wasn't aware of their meaning in India.  I've always taken them to mean "hear no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil."  This could indicate exactly what you say, rather than burying one's head in the sand.  Thanks again.  I'll be more careful about my pics in the future.

I actually really liked it. Don't have to stick to the protocol. But it is not offensive either. :)

A great social commentary, and I like how the fragments of conversation reflect a shattered community spirit.

 I like playing around with quotes.  It can be fun and instructive.  They might also liven up the lines with a little conversation.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it's doesn't.  Thanks Atakti!

True perception, even if it's quite dark. Love the picture with it.

I think....you may have been walking behind me, Crow.  And sometimes looking the other way is the best and only thing you can do.  Just love this write.  

I think there is name of this called The Bystander Effect? Where most people will ignore such incidents. And yes, getting involved sometimes brings you into a situation you did not ask for. It is sad that helping someone can get us killed. There is much cud to chew on in this one, once you take into consideration of what your own actions would be. Watching such incidents on reality TV show seems about the distance most people want to maintain. When its down the hallway and your neighbors are going at it...how much do you want to help?

Humanity deteriorates every time someone just turns off the light and goes to sleep when the phone is right next to the lamp. Good move, calling the cops when it was still early enough to make a difference. Shed light on some real shit!

So so much corruption!
yes in fact:

" they Encouraging silence, the illusion of personal safety
"Don't get involved," they instruct
"Just keep your head down and we'll never tell a soul."  ""

Indeed, everyday..have too known situations personally
on this topic.. or just the theory of those few words alone.

Powerful bit my crowfly!, am a bit late & have a lot to catch
up on

-Howlings