Home again, home again,
clickedy click.
The door flies open,
your stomach turns sea-sick.

In place of where
your nightmare tower always stood
instead was another man,
indigo glow, voice smooth.

No belt in his hands,
no drunken surprise—
the man steps towards you
with soft words and kind eyes:

"You've seen hell in hidden spaces,
places meant to be sacred
with kindness,
mentorship, sweetness—
all of them tainted
with the violence of man."

You have no words,
no vessels able to send
the fullness of your pain.
Your lip trembles.
He speaks again.

"Be that as it may—
I ask you to see me now,
as I see you, form-to-form.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Release and relief."

You inhale.
You exhale.
You feel a touch more free.

"Now.
Breathe in the weight of your ache,
burning memory.
Breathe out the claws of restraint—
and forgive.
Though you will never forget.
Let the claws be released,
for this weight does not deserve you,
is not how your truest life may be lived."

"But...."
You don't even know how to say it.
"But you couldn't possibly know
the hurt...."

"I see it in your eyes.
In your clenched teeth and fists,
it shows.
I see."

You weep.

"I see.
I understand.
And more than vengeance or destruction,
I just want you to live free."

Inhale.
Exhale.

"But for what it's worth,"
His palms cup your cheeks,
"There IS a Justice
that awaits any man
who makes the innocent bleed.
One you may or may not see.
But don't make it your life's mission.
Please.
Let your life be your own,
and for this, let it be."

Kind hands.
Sweet relief.
Tear-flood, burst and released.

For the first time in an age,
all you breathe is perfect peace.

____

*My intention in this particular poem is not to encourage anyone to ignore instances of abuse, or situations that are unsafe for them or their loved ones. It is also not my intention to diminish the evil of violence.

Merely, I wanted to highlight the value of the violated, of their own lives being lived beyond their trauma in due time, not forever being controlled by their memories.

For anyone who has seen or experienced domestic violence—you are not tainted. You are not dirty. You are not guilty. I hope you find people and a path forward to step into yourself fully, unhindered and unafraid and knowing that trustworthy love is something that others are capable of giving you, and you are capable of giving too.

❤️