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