Picture Perfect Family
Whenever someone gazed in her direction they saw rosy cheeks and wide smiles
She was a ray of sunshine who had it all
A beautiful child and an appearing loving husband
Who would’ve thought that the smiles and laughs went flat behind those doors
He was filled with anger and rage,
it didn’t take much to occur for him to raise his hand
Beating after beating bruise after bruise she stayed because she thought that this was love
That nothing is right or wrong in love and that although cuts heal broken hearts don’t
Concerns and endless questions painfully brushed off her shoulder
How could she tell her family and friends that her once picture-perfect life has transformed into
An underdeveloped photo that’s torn apart and won’t even fit in the frame
Months and months passed
She drowned in shame because who would believe she wasn’t the one to blame
The next time he raised his voice it blasted with fiery anger
But she didn’t wince
She didn’t cower in fear
Instead, she stood tall and firm like a mountain glaring down at those below
His hands and voice lowered
He realized that his punching bag wasn’t going to take anymore hits
Soon his knees caved into the ground and his arms flailed for mercy and forgiveness
As if bruises can be healed from at thousand nonchalant apologies and fake tears
Suitcases flyed through the doors of their used to broken household
The rooms became lighter the family became brighter
She and other survivors of domestic violence will always fight for the end of abuse
Because no one should feel forced to stay in a harmful relationship