he shows you his love with his hand;

beaten, black and blue, so you remember every time you look in the mirror

that you’re his.

he tells you it’s all your fault; that you’re stupid, you’re nothing without him; you cannot be above his mighty hand.

then,

“I love you,” (lie #1)

“It’ll never happen again,” (lie #2)

and with every lie spilling out of his mouth, he ties you back in.

he dangles you from a string, cuts you from it,

just to watch you fall again...

black and blue, over and over.

but you are so much more than this.

you’re a daughter.

a granddaughter.

a mother.

my sister.

you are loved.