I can compete with him
On most levels
Such as jobs, quizzes etc
Except, when it comes to physical strength
So as soon as he hits me
I become the underdog, the loser
This was his final control of me
And this is how he tried to break me
He would leave me crying on the floor
Like a wounded dog
As he emerged the victor, the winner
Of his physically weaker opponent
But somehow, each time
He knocked me down
I got up,
yes I got up
And became emotionally stronger than before
Until, one day, I had enough
I thought, what am I doing with this person?
He cannot love me
And treat me this way
I cannot and will not carry on this way
Then, once I made this decision
I felt lighter and emotionally stronger
Then I advised him, our relationship is over
He said, “I am sorry, I love you”
So I said “I no longer want your kind of love,
I’ve had enough”
Then he replied “Please, I am really sorry, I Love You”
Then I felt an emotional strength,
Emerge from somewhere, within me,
That I never thought I had,
As I heard, myself say,
“Please don’t bother to say sorry or that you love me anymore,
As I am no longer listening”
© Lydia Nightingale
The Poetic Counsellor
I have written this poem from a women’s perspective, but I am aware that men suffer from abuse too. Abuse is horrendous no matter who the perpetrator is.
This poem is about physical abuse, but abuse takes form in other ways such as psychological, emotional, sexual and financial.
Please contact me if my poem touches you and you feel you need support on this or on relationship issues.
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