ESCAPE THE MONSTER

Escaping an Abusive Relationship

 ESCAPE FROM THE MONSTER

 

The darkness became her loyal friend,

A Fortress in which she could hide.

So there she’d curl up in her warm, black cocoon,

And for an instant she'd feel safe inside.

The deafening silence reassured her,

That the Monster lay peacefully sleeping.

So she’d lay there quite still, but fully awake,

Lulled by her own desperate weeping.

 

In those moments she’d steal from her lost, tortured life,

Her memories became very clear.

And there she could see who she once used to be,

In those days when she lived without fear.

 

In her memory she saw his sweet smile,

She recalled every word that he spoke.

He promised to love and protect her,

And she remembered each promise he broke.

 

Like Jekyll to Hyde he started to change,

And the violence began very slow.

But each time he would beg for forgiveness,

And convince her that she shouldn’t go.

 

The abuse seemed to grow like a type of disease,

And she struggled to survive each attack.

But it gradually raviged her heart and her soul,

And what she lost she could never get back

 

She hated herself for her weakness,

How could she be so naïve?

To trust in the words of a liar,

And then be too frightened to leave.

 

But something was changing inside her as well,

And she prayed through the harrowing night.

And there in the silence she heard her own voice,

It was time that she stood up and fight!

 

She discovered she too could lie and deceive,

And she’d do anything to be free.

So she plotted and planned and he never knew,

That this time in the darkness she’d flee.

 

She realized that staying had been easy,

But it took courage to stand up and leave.

And the scars that it left would never quite heal,

And the losses she’d forever grieve

 

But the Monster was gone, she now thrived in the light,

And that person from the past had returned.

Her life now was hers with no holding back

For all that she was she had earned.

 

Reviews

[barleygirl]

What makes your story of survival so strong is the way your message moves from desperation to a gradual awakening, which is an inspiring message for those who might still be stuck in this cycle of madness. The sensation of growing stronger within oneself is very evident in your words. We abused are very familiar with blaming ourselves, not feeling strong enuf, & then finally remembering who we used to be before the abuse -- all universal feelings stated in a fresh way.

[PattiF]

Thank you so much barleygirl for your kind review. It means a great deal to me that you could relate to it and found it inspiring. That my words could achieve that means everything to me.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Powerful poem and statement. Great form, flow, cadence and rhyme. Vivid imagery describing the prison of an abusive relationship, the personal cost, and the struggle and courage it takes to free oneself. Loved this. Brava,

[PattiF]

Thank you so much Annette for taking the time to read my words and for your kind support

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You are very welcome Patti!