I said I couldn’t do this anymore,
But everyone seemed to have a better opinion of my life, of the capacity of my strength,
But they have no idea of the courage I’ve had to put up through these smiles.
I begged that he would stop hitting me,
But everyone seemed to be so sure I must be doing something to provoke him,
But they have no idea what the pain and aches feel like at the end of the day.
Hold on a little longer, they said
The journey ahead isn’t as much as what’s left behind,
But only I know the peace I’ve craved and had to battle within.
Now I’m at peace
All the noise and distractions don’t matter anymore
. . . Because I’m dead.
Selah.
This is saddening but truthful, the consequence of domestic abuse and the hang-on-in-there advice of folks around.