The Old Me Poem by Taressa Dunham

Painful dreams
Dark, scary nights.
Blankets wrapped around my ankles
Like hands of steel set on never letting go.
The louder I scream
The more he laughs-
Laughs at my pain
Laughs at my misery
No matter how I squirm, scream, or even cry
He'll never let go
He'll only tighten his grip
Loving the advantage he has on me
Loony the scent of fear coming from me
When you're asleep, you're supposed to be safe
But I'm not. I never again will be.
Because he's always there
If not physically, then mentally.
He'll always find a way
Into my wad
And into my dreams.
But then again, maybe it's just me
Not being able to let go
Of the past
Of the pain
Of the old me.