Lightning Flashes

Lightning flashes,

And a new storm brew.

The only sound,

After out the door went you.

You said a few words,

And did some bad things,

But I forgive you,

It won’t happen again.

Lightning flashes,

Illuminating the dark room,

And through the new light,

I see a forming bruise.

Looking down my arms,

I see a few more,

But I forgave you then,

For it can’t get any worse.

Lightning flashes,

And I start to feel calm.

Finally I’m alone,

Safe without any harm.

That won’t last for long,

But I know it’s okay.

He says he loves me,

So of course I will stay.

Lightning flashes,

And in He walks again.

The smell of alcohol and perfume,

Lingers on his skin.

Walking to me,

With a sinister grin.

I’m thrown to the ground,

As He says “It’s good to be home again.”

Lightning flashes,

As he kicks me in the ribs.

He's broken them before,

So I know they're broken again.

My screams fill the air,

I assume nobody cares.

Or perhaps the storms too loud,

For anybody to hear.

Lightning flashes,

As he punches my face.

Blood streams down my cheek,

As I struggle to stay awake.

Suddenly he stops,

And my vision is blurred.

He kisses my hand,

And says, “I’m sorry if that hurt.”

He didn’t mean to hurt me,

And it won’t happen again.

So I smile weakly,

A fall into a bittersweet nothing.

As lightning strikes,

I’m awoken from my sleep,

My whole body aches,

As the pattern of each day…

Repeats itself again.

Reviews

[stargirl23]

This was absolutely amazing. The use of physical hurt itself seemed to stand either for just that or emotional hurt and betrayal. I also loved the lightning being a symbol for new hope, new light--until he came back and it portrayed a menacing mood. Great job.

[Ted Kniffen]

Proof that lightning will strike the same spot twice. A good rendering of the roles of abuser and abused, both locked in the same battle, unable to change. Good write

[PoeticSorcery]

cool concept, and lightning is cool. scary as hell, but cool. always wished I could control electricity myself, but that's just the nerd in me :D

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you really capture the torment and mind games of someone who is an abuser..always abusing, always apologizing, always forgiven again and again...but somehow she must leave and somehow he will pay...

riveting work here.

j.

[barleygirl]

This is the best poem I've ever read about domestic abuse. This is unbelievably palpable. I can feel the stormy mood, I can feel the old bruises, I can feel the dread & longing intertwined, I can feel the mind numbness of a person shut down except for a warped survival instinct. There are so many nuances that you've captured in this message, so true to life, & happening soooo often. Besides the message being spot-on, the writing is also clever & creative. I like the repetition of the title, done just the right amount (lots of poets would repeat it for every stanza, then sounding too repetitious). I like the idea of the lightning flash being a bit of happiness shining only momentarily, blinding the narrator into thinking this is all worthwhile. This is really a brilliantly written scenario. Mind-blowing in it's accuracy.

[Tsubaki Kuro]

Beautiful poem here. Very dark and deep.

[Sir Drift & Mr. Pulse]

Wow. This was pretty brutal, this was pretty hard to digest in my mind. Such deepnes and emotion vividly reflecting out of this

[Jazzlyn B Barden]

Is that a good thing or bad?...

[Sir Drift & Mr. Pulse]

Why would it be bad? Lol. Silly. It's good

[Jazzlyn B Barden]

I don't know, I'm stupid at times haha. Rereading it now, I understand it

[Sir Drift & Mr. Pulse]

Lol. Don't say that. Maybe I worded it wrong XD

[Daniel Valentine Rivera]

Emotional poem about abusive relationships and domestic violence. It opens the eyes to the people oblivious to this controversial issue. I love the way you incorporated "lighting flashes" as way to ominously describe the situation at hand. Amazing poem you have here. Keep writing Jazzlyn. :)

[Nicole Schuster]

A beautiful take on a popular and serious issue. Your word choice and presentation of this topic as a storm is great and adds an original element. Nice job :)