Strangled

Time to reflect

On years of neglect

When all I thought about was him

My future was looking so dim

But I just couldn't see

What was happening to me

He came into my life

Made me his wife

It was 1982

I was emotionally black and blue

In 1983

I should have broken free

He beat me up on our first anniversary

In 1984

I should have shown him the door

In 1985

I still stood by his side

In 1986

He was an addict in need of a fix

In 1987

Home was no place like heaven

In 1988

He tried to go straight

Or so I thought

Still we fought

In 1989

He was in jail doing time

For selling drugs

To other foolish thugs

In 1990

I filed for a divorce

He sweet talked me out it, of course

In 1991

I finally did run

With my life

No longer a battered wife

In 1992

We got back together, it's true

In 1993

He strangled me

In 1994

He beat me some more

In 1995

I barely survived

In 1996

He was still an addict, in need of a fix

 

 

 

Reviews

[Jinx's Heart]

Oh, gosh! Firstly, I must say this was written beautifully! I love the style in which you put this poem. My heart always goes out to victims and survivors of this malicious crime. My father is like this and I'm still angry at him for treating my family this way. You are so courageous for sharing this and I commend you and your bravery. Excellent writing! Thanks for sharing.

[emmajoy]

Yet another tragic creation, sadly but beautifully made. Pain by pain, year by year - literally scarred for life.

[R J Askew]

the way you tick off the years is very powerful and sad. your loyalty it sorely tested -- all so sad.

[Helen Woodward]

And by 1997 I hope he was gone for good! This is an excellent example of diary meltdown, it says so much in so little words. What a mongrel...I hope you are completely free of him now???? I will never understand why women stay with abusers, I just don't get it. Some say they do it for the children, but what do kids learn? How to live with abuse or become an abuser.
A wake up call Deb that will create awareness...

Helen xxx

[A LaDy NaMeD D]

emotional some people never do change.

[malmal412]

wow.

very good poem

and very emotional i think..

[Spoken]

you really show the reader just how many years of hell you went through when you break it down like you did. i'm glad it's just a glance back for you now. thanks for sharing

[just is]

Wow! Such a jerker here, my heart goes out to those, wonderfully written and expressed