October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you know needs more information about domestic violence, visit The National Domestic Violence HOTLINE or call 1-800-799-7233.
This is a poem I will be sharing with a special group of survivors on tomorrow night…
LOST VIRGINITY
The door unlocks
There was no need to knock
For what stood between out there
and in here was supposed to be safe
not filled with hate
In comes the cold
standing bold
Not even a hint
of the usual strong liquid and mint.
Red flags
I did have
But it was already too late
Anger began to penetrate
Once brave
Now, all I wanted was to be saved
But no one came
To the outside, all was the same
Yells became louder
I began to cower
as monstrous eyes
began to glare into mines.
Fight or flight
I had to get out of sight
So, I grabbed my phone
to escape the place that I called home
I ran
from this angry man
that I knew nothing about
All I wanted was to get out
I almost made it
Was just about to split
But he ruined my chances of freedom
Breaking my phone…making me feel dumb
He grabbed me from behind
I screamed to give my neighbors a sign
But no one came
They ignored my cry, which was insane
Every time I got away
He would drag me back to stay
Front door…back door in sight
Flight was all I had because I couldn’t fight
If only I could move a little faster
Like a slave escaping his master
But I was much to slow
I begged as he dragged me across the floor
This time, he wouldn’t punch or kick
He would just break me and make me sick
As he watched me pretend I wouldn’t run
He knew I couldn’t outrun or outsmart a con
So, I continued to flight
with all my might
I screamed, cried and sweated
Never will I forget it
Time went on
which was much too long
Broken, I finally gave up
Only then did the neighbor knock to ask, ‘What’s up?’
The door was open
Somehow I was still coping
enough to make a run
to reunite with the wind and sun
I escaped
Stunned, but I did not hate
Yes, I would be free for the night
Only to weep and rest enough to jump back into the fight.
-Kelly Stone
Are you a survivor? If so, leave your story of survival in the comment section below.
Copyright © 2014 Kelly Stone. All Rights Reserved.
