if you look you will
not see any bruises
or find any scars,
he is no amateur 

if you choose to
listen you will begin
to see all the scars
that are truly there...
the ones that never heal

when you listen
you will hear all of the anguish
that continues to fill her,
the fear that trembles
through every story
she shares.

but what you will not
hear is
the self-confidence,
pride in who she is,
happy stories about the
man that has filled her
life with fear of
letting anyone in because
he has taught her women
should not be treated with
respect.