Foreword: I wrote this many years ago when it was something I encountered directly through work and was also a focal point of some of my college studies back in the day. I cant remember what got me to write this, but it was probably an encounter with someone who was going through this that got my mind thinking about it.
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It seemed like an almost endless week to him, as he slowly walked through the door,
I tried to comfort his stress and his sadness, because I missed the smile he once bore.
He used to be the happiest person I ever did meet,
But this time, with a smile, he did not greet.
I tried to do everything in my power to set him at ease,
But the harder I tried, the more he became impossible to appease.
I took off his shoes and cooked him his favorite dish,
But nothing I did could please him, and this was my only wish.
I tried to compliment him with each and every word I spoke,
Soon he became red, put his hands around my neck, and started to choke,
We fell to the floor and he slapped me across the face,
The tears streamed down, and I tried to take my mind to a different place.
I didn’t even try to fight back,
I knew if I did, his anger would only stack.
It wasn’t very long until he decided to quit,
I then walked to my room, and on the bed I did sit.
I thought about what had happened and tried to understand,
How could someone who loved me belittle me with his hand?
The tears streamed down and my makeup ran, making a mess,
But there is something that I must confess.
I love him even though he hurt me,
Because I know who he used to be.
The next day he brought me flowers and candy,
I thought maybe what he did was a fluke and that everything would be just dandy.
It has now been seven days and I have had time to recover,
But an awful truth I was about to discover.
Once again, he came through the same door,
The same scenario, and once again I was on the floor.
This time I went to ponder what I should do,
I quickly packed my bags, and out the door I flew.
I realized something that many do not get,
A man who hits once, will continue to hit.
I walked away from a bad circumstance,
I knew he would do it again if I gave him the chance.
It is now one year later and I am doing well,
He has a new wife, but she is living in a cell.
You see, what could’ve been me is now her,
His anger rages, but he pulls her back in with his lure.
So this is my message to all those who read,
Understand that those who are violent will usually not concede.
It is a cycle that goes round and round,
And for many help will never be found.
If this scenario sounds familiar to you,
Understand that many others are experiencing it too.
Pack your bags and go to a safe place to dwell,
You might have to rebuild, but you will not fail.
You will lift yourself where you belong,
You will recover, and your life will sing a new song.
Never let others treat you like dirt,
Just hope for him, because in them is much hurt.
There is one last point that I need to make clear,
Sometimes the roles are reversed, and it is in the man that there should be fear.
But whoever you are, and whatever your circumstances may be,
Don’t let anyone abuse you, or you will never be truly free.
Break the grip!
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