I Got Flowers Today
The dove logo for Alternatives to Violence was inspired by the poem that is reproduced below. The origins of this poem are unclear as it is attributed to several different people on the internet. The earliest reference we could find was a copyright claim by an individual named Allen Dowdell in September 1991.
In any case, the poem is a powerful reminder of why organizations such as ours are needed.

I got flowers today
It wasn't my birthday or any other special day.
Last night we had a fight and he hit me,
But I know he is sorry
Cause I got flowers today
I got flowers today
It wasn't our anniversary or any other special day.
Last night he threw me against the wall and started to choke me,
But I know he's sorry,
Cause I got flowers today
I got flowers today
It wasn't Mothers day or any other special day
I was so swollen and bruised I was ashamed to answer the door
But I know he's sorry,
Cause I got flowers today
If I leave him, where will I go?
What about money? what about my kids?
It's getting worse every time but I'm afraid to leave
But I know he's sorry
Cause I got flowers today
I got flowers today
My family and friends filed by to see me
Asking why I never left him,
If I only had the strength and courage to, but I didn't
So I got Flowers today

