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.

[Coyote Poetry]

Hard thing to fall into bad place with no escape.
"As lightning strikes,
I’m awoken from my sleep,
My whole body aches,
As the pattern of each day…"
Old Grandma told my sister. Man must sleep. Abuse me and you won't wake-up. A sad write with a honest ending. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[hcarson]

tting truth for so many people..both male and female, although predoninantly female. such a hard thing to escape, ''i can change them''..''they won't do it again''...''i deserved it''...yea..yea..we all heard them all and will continue to do so sadly. you have summed up the domestically violent relationship perfectly. i hope that isn't because of personal experience as it seems so prevalent in todays world. it is very well written and structured. well done you on summing up, so well, the destructiveness of this topic. full marks.

[Jazzlyn B Barden]

Thank you so much :)
This was not a personal experience, but I was well aware that this is common and really wanted to capture the truth of this problem

[hcarson]

you have done an amazing job..so much so i thouhgt maybe you had experienced it, gkad you haven't! excellent job, i have experienced it and you have really caught it how it is, the thought pattern etc, well done you

[Jazzlyn B Barden]

I'm sorry that you had to experience something like that. Nobody deserves to be put through it. I hope that you aren't anymore, and you're safe now.

[hcarson]

yes, it was a long time ago but it goes to show how good your writing skills are :)