No Turning Back (February 1, 2020)

Go ahead

Walk away

From me.

Abandoned

In my time

Of need.

Starting

My biggest journey

Without you.

Freeing myself

From the hate

You call love.

Wiping away

Tears of shame

I've held close.

Displaying the bruises

You left behind

On me.

Won't come back

Blaming myself

For your violence.

Oh no

Those days

Are long gone.

For I'm a survivor

Who has escaped

Hell's Inferno.

As your hooks

Bounce off

My heart.

Discarded rubble

Grounded into dust

Under my heels.

Walking away

Living my life

In peace.

Therisa © 2020  

Author’s note: Alas, the editing was, the easiest part of writing this very personal

poem, as I’m a survivor of long term abuse, from several family members. Who, I have cut off all contact with my last abuser, November 2015. The mental and emotional pain wasn't justified, in spending time with them.

Written for Earthweal’s weekly prompt: Renewal.

Balancing My Needs (September 9, 2016)

A weary sigh

Escapes

As apprehension 

Fills me.

Worrying

Am I letting 

Too much

Of my life

Public.

Previously

Have had others 

Use my past

As a blunt weapon

Against me.

Some may view

This admittance

As a paradox.

Given

The open nature

Of my poetry.

But

To heal

I must be open

And honest

About my experiences.

In releasing

Many years

Of suppressed memories.

Allowing

Complete healing

Of those partially 

Healed wounds

I have.

How does one

Do this

Without revealing

Too much?

A question

I am struggling

To answer.

Therisa © 2016

Author's note: Am I, being paranoid, for feeling this way? I know, I have major trust issues, with people, as I have, in the past, been involved, with those, who have abused my openness, for their own selfish needs. For I need to move forward, in my life, without constantly looking over my "shoulders", for an ambush or two.