Hidden beneath the surface
behind a masked disguise
The truth about my Prince Charming
was veiled in his eyes.

So full of love and kindness
so quick to lend a hand
Everybody loves him -
they'd never understand

Gifts of love and flowers
after another fight
I really must provoke him,
I know that he is right.

Adorning me with his love
he does show tenderness,
As long as I obey his every need
we'll live in happiness.

He makes me feel special
though at times I feel so bad,
I really don't mean to do it
but I know I make him mad.

I know that he really loves me
but I mustn't disobey
?I just want to make him happy -
I know no other way.

He always patches up the marks
though my face he will not touch
So no one else sees that I
disobey him that much.

He's good at hiding our secret
so no one else knows my flaws
He's loved by all who know him
though I'm a poor white trash whore.

And though I love him it does hurt
I sometimes wonder why
But he does it so to teach me
still it always makes me cry.

There are times I hate him for this pain
and the bruises no one sees
Although I know he loves me so
why does he do it to me?

Maybe one day I will learn how
not to deceive or disobey
Oh how it must make him feel
and why I must always pay.

No one else suspects it
for he never marks my face
To them he's a friend to all -
to me, the phantom menace.

© Christina
28th January, 2001

"This poem is not about my own experience, though ironically, it is written on what would have been my 6th Wedding Anniversary.

"It's not difficult to see the meaning behind this poem. It is about a woman who is abused by her husband and believes that she is at fault, and that her husband loves her and has to punish her for her flaws - or whenever she doesn't do anything right. It is about a very real situation, where the abuser is very well-liked within his community and friends, while at home he beats his wife. SHE thinks because she deserves it, because that is what he has told her, though she is very confused too. She has mixed feelings for her husband - her abuser - she hates it and wonders why he must hurt her, yet she feels she deserves it, and she loves him. It is very sad, yet very true.
I expressed the mixed feelings a victim of abuse feels in this situation - it is truly a very confusing time.&nbbsp; He truly is a Phantom Menace to her."

Inspired after reading "Journey" by Danielle Steel