Ending The Cycle Poem by Jeanette Dunlap

I don't know why I stayed so long,
Or how I couldn't see it was wrong.
When most of the time I would lay and cry…
Always blaming myself and wondering, "why? "
Intimidated, scared and isolated,
[He was] always yelling and agitated.
Forever controlled and manipulated
By this Hell he created.
I suffered silently - but others were nearby.
Didn't they notice I was forced to comply?
Please don't stay quiet - in this epidemic
Or your loved ones will be seeing a medic
1 in 4 women,1 in 7 men
How can we get this cycle to end?
It's not all black eyes and angry fists,
But yes, there were bruises when he held down my wrists.
The hateful words spat into my ear,
Nasty names called, so horrible to hear.
The cycle continued on and the hurt forgiven,
Until she came along, then I became driven.
It wasn't about me anymore,
Or the pain I could endure.
It became about protecting this little girl,
Who with all my heart and soul I adore.
Such huge differences between him and me;
I just want what is best for my baby (Harley)
Grateful for the outpouring of support;
(Just praying it all works out in court.)
I escaped, and we survived with our lives,
Unlike so many young victims, girlfriends, and wives.
I'm lucky to be free from the abuse,
No longer will he taunt and bruise.
Together we are healing, better every day.
Trying to forget his abusive way.
As hard as it is to think back,
I wrote this to stop others from attack
The violent abuse was not our choice,
Stand up for those without a voice.
I'm telling you from 10 years of pain -
He won't get help, he won't change.
You can't fix the abuser, only yourself
There are people who want to help!

6/23/2017