Darkness fills her tortured soul tears fall to the floor Pain envelops her within for wanting to ignore ~ Words that cut her like a knife whispered veiled threats Reminding her just whose to blame so she won't forget. Another bruise upon her face a cut upon her arm A scarf to hide her private pain felt deep within her heart ~ A smile upon her jaded lips a life she must disguise So no one sees the emptiness hidden in her eyes. Into an abyss of nothing she falls deep within With no escape, she cries in pain this torment that she's in ~ Blood stains on her hardened heart that says she must obey When he returns with a gift to wipe his crimes away. A phase that's filled with promises puts her mind at peace But knowing that it will not last will only just increase ~ Blinded by the shattered love that keeps her in this place He rules her with an iron fist that slaps her in the face. Bloodied tears fall down her cheeks he hit her once again The bruises that will fade with time are scars that will remain ~ Emotions overwrought with hurt no one can understand The love and hate she feels for him that binds her to this man. Heartaches filled with emptiness she's come to depend On the torments that shatter her, when will it ever end? Lost so deep inside herself from which there's no escape As tear-filled eyes are drowned in blood and darkness masks her face. © Christina 2nd September, 2003

"A poem dealing with the shadows of abuse.   The pain, the anguish, the torment, the depression.   The things no one sees.   The torment no one understands.   Feelings of confusion, of love, of hate, of betrayal, of emptiness.   The empty feeling of nothing and the heartache knowing that although there are good times, it will never last ~ the pain and hurt that come with the cycle of abuse.   That come with the kick of the shin, the slap of the hand or the beating of fists.   The horror that comes with the constant reminder that you're worthless, that it's your fault, that you made him do it and that you deserve it.   The torment that comes with knowing that no matter how much he hurts you, no matter how many times he hits you or how many times he promises it will never happen again and it does ~ you still love him.   The part that hates him and what he does, and the part that loves him and the man you fell in love with.   It is a tormenting and painful thing to endure.   And long after the bruises have healed, the scars still remain.   The scars of trust, hurt, betrayal, rejection, worthlessness, hopelessness and emptiness....and above all, how to love again beyond the pain."