Days without fights were
The calm before the storm.
Brutality and fear
Became her new norm.
Outside of their quarrels
He’d turn up the charm.
Even she was convinced
He meant her no harm.
Then he would strike.
In turn she would shout.
Neighbors raised the volume
To drown her sobs out.
They stayed out of it.
They felt that was wise.
When she passed in the hallways,
They averted their eyes.
She stopped crying for help.
It just never came.
For her willingness to stay there,
She was to blame.
There were no superheros,
No man in a cape.
She had nowhere to run,
No way to escape.
She was trapped,
In need of a champion.
But she was guilty of staying,
That was her sin.
She wasn’t a victim,
They made her believe.
This was her punishment
If she wouldn’t just leave.
Her body was scarred
By senseless violence,
But not so deeply as
Her mind was by silence.
Carrie Mayhem 