Him

And I see him in someone's sideways smirk,

someone's endless brown eyes,

someone's smile when they laugh.

I see him in the room where we watched movies all night,

I see him where we fought to the death at foosball,

I see him when I drive past the place

where it happened.

I see him every time someone gets

a little too close,

a little too fast.

I see him when someone grabs my wrist, and all I can do

is remember the way he held mine down.

I see him when someone kisses me, and I can't breathe because

what if they don't stop.

What if I look up,

and it's those same brown eyes,

what if it's his hands holding me down,

what if it's his voice in my ear, whispering,

"Don't you trust me?"

I see him every time I close my eyes.

Around every corner, in every stranger,

in faded memories with sharp edges.

And all I can do, is wonder how long it will be 

until his tough, his face, his memory

will finally fade from my life.

Author's Note

CW for sexual assault.

Reviews

[A.K. Rohner]

Beautiful use of your words, and the trauma expressed in here isn't too complex. It's simplified to perfection. The format is also very impressive, especially when you say:

A little too close,
A little too fast.

[Booggyman]

Wow, you can tell there is a lot of emotion in these words. I'm sure there are many who could relate to this powerful poem.