I don't deny
The dark…
For it helps me
To see
More clearly
What love
Looks like.
I watch him
Control her
Go out with
The boys
And expect
To come home
And find her
Ready to have
Sex because
She has no job
Other than
To be there
For him…
Wounded children
Grow up to be
Disguised as adults
When all they are
Are hurt
Children
Pretending
To be grown up…
I embrace
My own darkness
And accept it
Fighting it
Only makes
It stronger…
Quit making things
Worse little boy.
Quit thinking
It's ok to let him
Treat you
That way…
Little girl,
Stand up
And be a
Real woman.
No one is
Without blame
Or responsibility…
If you stand there
Long enough
To get slapped twice
It's just as much
Your fault as it is
His…
Same goes for
Abusive words…
And disrespectful
Actions…
Accept that
You are scared
Of being alone…
Then walk out to door
To go look for
Amazing
Because settling
For unacceptable
Isn't love…
It's insecurity.
When you enter
The darkness
It makes the light
Easier to find…
But you
Have to
Open your eyes
And walk out
Into the night
To find it.
