Bruises
Content note: Some poems in this collection explore themes of childhood abuse, trauma, mental health & recovery. While these pieces are deeply personal, they are shared with the hope of raising awareness, encouraging understanding & reminding others that healing is possible.
A powerful and deeply personal reflection on the reality of childhood abuse, this poem captures the fear, emotional devastation, and isolation experienced by a child trapped in an unsafe home. It is written to raise awareness, honour survivors, and remind readers of the importance of listening, believing, and protecting vulnerable children.
‘Here we go, again. Like always- I’m covered in purple and blue. What will the other kids at school think? “Just tell them that it was you. You’ve done this to yourself anyway, for making me so mad. Why can’t you be a good little girl? Instead of being so bad! Your mother never wanted you, that’s why she left you with me. All the things I do for you! Horrible bitch! Why can’t you see?!” Bruises hurt but they can never pain me, as much as Dads’ words do. Every day, being told I’m a failure and “how can anybody ever love you?” He picks me up by my school shirt- it’s suffocating my neck. Sometimes I really wish- I really wish I could disconnect. Disconnect from this horrible thing called life. Disconnect from all of the shame. What is really left I wonder? There can’t be anything more to gain. I’ve given all that I can give to the world and honestly, it isn’t much. I want to get off and say good bye- please! Now where’s the clutch?! “When you come back after school today, I want you straight to bed! Don’t you dare come out until I say so- I really wish you were dead! Now leave me alone and get out my sight, just leave me to go back to sleep. When you come home, I want you to be as quiet as you can! Don’t make a fucking peep!” I walk down the street, to the school I dread- I dread because everyone knows... Body’s feeling heavy now, Head is sore- sore from all of the blows. Please- I pray- somebody take me away. Take me away from this man that I fear. However, God isn’t there to answer my calls- even though there’s now blood spilling down from my ear. I feel tired- feeling lonely now, my legs becoming so weak. I’m making my way, crashing down to the ground- my last heartbeat let’s out a shriek.