The Unseen War (May 21, 2016)

For many years

The word

"Hope"

Existed as

A swear word

To me.

Knowing

Any second

Another fist

Or kick

Will land.

As I struggle

With my toxic experiences

Of domestic and schoolyard

Abuse.

Praying for

The welcoming embrace

Of Death

And the darkness

She brings.

Knowing not

These criminal attacks

Upon my body and soul

Aren't my responsibility.

Although

Placing

The blame

Squarely

Upon myself.

Letting my tears

Eat away

At my soul.

Like falling drops

Of concentrated acid

On cloth.

Until

My self-esteem

And self-confidence

Were reported.

As vague rumours

To have existed

At all.

Even now

I have to

Remind myself

Constantly.

I'm stronger

And better

Than those

Who hurt me.

For too many years

Of my life.

Therisa © 2016