They say I am the strongest
that I can weather any storm,
be there to hold things together
while others collapse and fall.
What they do not realize
is behind closed doors
where prying eyes cannot see
is the child inside,
who does hurt,
who does bleed.
That even those who seem strong
can, in time, break,
the strength draining away
revealing the truth hidden deep.
The strongest of us have a weakness.
Even the strongest of us can fall and weep.
~ © 2013 Heidi Barnes
You tell me you love me.
That what you do to me
Is for my own good.
That if I was only prettier
Smarter
Obedient
You would not have to do
Such horrible things to me.
As I look in the mirror,
Colors of the spectrum no one person
Should see mottling my body
Where clothes hide what others suspect.
For no one can see
What you need to do to keep me
In line.
A very small part of me,
The part that still rails against you
Cannot understand why you do this to me.
I do everything you ask
When you ask.
I am careful to keep my eyes downcast
Show no interest in another man
Another person
Yet it is never enough.
How can I escape this hell I live in
Who can help me when I can only scream
In silence.
Someone
Anyone
Please help me
Before it is too late.
Before he finally
Breaks me
Copyright: Heidi Barnes
Before I get too many comments, I want to let you know that this poem has nothing to do with me. I have a very loving, caring, if not at times exasperating, husband who I love very much. What inspired this poem is the name of one of my followers. I also started thinking of a couple of books and movies I have seen that talks about spousal abuse. This is what came of that musing.
I hope you all have a safe weekend, and to those trapped in this situation, please, find help and escape. No one should be treated this way.
(Song lyrics from Epiphany, Nightcastle by Tran Siberian Orchestra.)
The darkness holds many secrets
Tales have been spun of evil
Searching for lost souls to feed their lust
I say be gone
For no evil lurks in the darkness
Only superstitious fools seeking
To control that which they do not
Understand
As I walk this path
Through mist and trees
As sound travels from twig and branch
Sight hindered by darken night
My mind wanders to tales of woe
Of fairies and pixies playing tricks
To lure the unsuspecting
To deaths veiled door
Suddenly those I scoffed
As charlatans and liars
Who warn us
Beware of nights promised delights
With beginning dread
Words become true
When eyes so bright
Surround me whole
And darkness descends tenfold
I realize then there is no hope
For prayers and song will not bring
Valiant knight to save my soul
I am lost
My story’s end unfolds
Copyright: Heidi Barnes
Here is the link to the Free Write at Kellie Elmore’s website that I participate in every week. Please go take a look at all the wonderful contributions from some very talented people.
Currently Researching the Disaster of Pompeii in 79 A.D.
An Empyrean Cycle
Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry Journal
Mindfulness, Philosophy, Spirituality, Meditation, Awareness, Religion, Nature Photography
Layers Of Life
Novelist, Poet, Wordsmith
Excerpts from book writings :)
To See What I See 