the cries of a young boy go unheeded
his innocence questioning why love hurts
why is he to blame
always
his reddened body
and damaged psyche
aches
at the prospect of another beating
his mother
another pawn
sidelines her nurture
for her own peace
the child twice unlucky
lives out a horror-filled childhood
but with determined endurance
his strength gets him thru his familial hell
at the tender age of sixteen
grasping sweet freedom
in the ball of his fist
he holds back the final strike
quieting his monster
embarrassing the beast’s over-blown stature
it shook the cowardly aggressor
finally
there was peace
a respite from the violence
a start of healing
yet the dysfunction lingered
the home, always a yelling place
a source of constant dissatisfaction
coupled with emotional abuse
the father found other ways to injure
it was only a few more years
then the young man’s escape became possible
finally living on his terms
had begun in earnest
he peeled off the pain
saved himself and forged a future
promising himself to live a better life
he tried
one marriage in and down
the second one brewing for a storm
the dysfunction of the past not quite gone
just carried forward
he’d survived
but had not shed the poison within
still imprinted deep
was the darkness of the monster
not expunged, as thought
only resurfaced in time
the complete healing
required reflection and resolution
steadfast and enduring love saved him
pushing him to face his demons
and asking forgiveness of those he’d broken
just as he had been
I Write Her 
Oh such a poignant story Susi. I’m glad he got the opportunity to do the right thing and heal himself
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Me too! Thanks, Sadje!
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My pleasure
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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The cycle of abuse is a tough one to escape. Where there is awareness change can occur – hopefully before others are pulled into the dance…
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Very tough! Luckily both parties, even being pulled into it, were able to navigate through it and come out better for it. Thanks for reading and commenting, Val. ❤
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Oh, how this cuts me! I love the way it paints such a vivid picture without relying on coarse imagery; the final move toward real healing and the end of an abusive cycle is simply beautiful.
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I hope not deep enough to wound but only enough to relate, and even that is hard! Thank you for reading, Jaya. Poetry should be somewhat of a mystery, or?
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The best poetry leaves room for the reader to imagine and dream! Definitely somewhat of a mystery. 🙂
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You’re right! 🙂 Thanks again, Jaya!
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Heart wrenching.
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But the story isn’t over yet! Things change, people evolve, happy endings abound, maybe? Thanks for reading, VJ!
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That’s what we all keep trying for! You’re welcome
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Yes, we do! That’s what life is all about. 🙂
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What a heart-wrenching story! And how well do you bring out origins of dysfunctional relationships… Brava!
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Thank you! It is a heart-wrenching story for all those involved.
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