12 of 68

Poetry: Domestic abuse

by Adrian Owens


I needed to say I hurt

I needed to say stop

I needed to say

You can 't treat me this way.

But fear held me silent.


The turn from emotional pain

To physical

To emotional again

Abuse is ugly in any form

Cutting deep within

The body and the mind.


Fear hangs heavy in the air

Inhaled with every breath

Making my body quake

And my lips wordless

To speak feelings

Express pain

Or cries for help.


Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA