Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is something you don’t want in your life.

Domestic violence? Who, me ?

ARE YOU CRAZY?

Yes, Domestic violence, you!

You’re not exempt from it.

It happened to me, and I am not crazy.

Those were the same thoughts I had about other women until it happened

to me.

I didn’t see it coming.

It took everything away from me,

My power, my will, my life.

I no longer knew myself.

I was his doormat.

I didn’t want anyone to know, so I shut them out.

My family worried, and my friends were curious.

I kept up my appearances by covering every bruise and every scar.

I was good at perpetrating.

I smiled when I wanted to cry.

I laughed when I wanted to die.

But one night, I couldn’t do it anymore.

I was tired and cried out to God to help me.

I said, “Lord, I am tired of covering mess!

Do you hear me, Lord?” I asked.

I didn’t get an answer.

I was listening, but I didn’t hear anything.

Then I heard him coming up the stairs onto the porch.

I could tell by his footsteps that he was drunk.

I ran to the bedroom.

“I can’t do this tonight,” I whispered to myself.

I opened his dresser drawer.

There it was!

I touch it.

I heard the keys.

My heart was racing.

I picked it up.

The door closed behind him.

I ran to meet him.

Before he could say anything,

I closed my eyes and pulled the trigger!

This poem is in my collection of poetry and essays in my book,

Peek Into my Secret Closet.