Stigma Of Surviving

What abuse can do to a person.

Silence

The chain

Which binds the truth

In lies.

 

Of the horrors

Committed

In the name of love

And punishment.

 

Twisting the light

Into a dark parody

Where reality loses

All meaning

Except pain.

 

Molding one's soul

Like clay

On a potter's wheel

With deft hands.

 

As the banshee wails

Outside the bedroom window

Heralding the death

Of another innocent.

 

Which

No one hears

Or cares

Until too late.

Author's Note

As a child growing up, I was told to keep quiet about the abuse, which my younger brother did to mom and I. Even to the point, I got blamed for his actions against me, by my parents. Over the years, I have built mental walls, hiding these events from myself, until they came crashing down, on August 14, 2007. Since than, I have been slowly learning to deal with this toxic part of my past.

Originally written February 24, 2014.

Reviews

[Emily B]

we survive, until we can thrive again, growth is so beautiful, even the parts where we come all undone to transform into what we will be

much love to you Therisa

[therisa]

Thank you, Emily. Wished I had thought of what you have written and tried to a space for it, in a healing poem. Hoping your own healing is progressing, thus allowing you, to thrive.

[Frieda P]

Awe inspiring read therisa, albeit disturbing. You know I felt this one to my core....glad to see you're purging these feelings, hopefully it proves cathartic to some extent. Keep wailing...

Of the horrors
Committed
In the name of love

That cut like a knife indeed.

[therisa]

Thank you, Frieda. Only wish this part of the stanza, never happened to other people.

This poem is supposed to be accompanied by a ceramic mask, which I will making, as my third project for my art therapy program. Sadly, this won't happen for several months, from now. Once finished, I will add the photo of the mask, to this poem.

[Frieda P]

Good on you, glad the art therapy is helping you...I wish the same, but that's never going to happen, especially when people turn a blind eye to this horrific injustice. My pleasure.

[therisa]

I understand, Frieda, as I have broken off all relationship with my mother and brother. My mom saw me, for the last time, in the summer of 2013.

[Frieda P]

Same here, I haven't seen either of my 'parents' in over four years. I breathe much easier for it.

[therisa]

I can relate to that experience, Frieda, as each visit for me, was an exercise in extreme anxiety.

[Frieda P]

You have to do what's best for you, no one else gives a ff...as we've encountered over the years....