Untitled Poem by Ciera Ivey

Life took its toll one me
When my mother died
Even though I toughed it out
I cried so much inside

I went to live with Dad
Not my choice of course
And they weren't together
Because they got divorced

I felt alone
In the old log house
For there were no other children
And he didn't have a spouse

So many women
He had in his life
None of them were right
One ruined my life

We met when I was eleven
At first, she was great
But as time passed
I felt Dad had made a mistake

Physically and mentally abusive
Always on my back
She never gave me a break
I felt I would soon crack

Being slapped, punched, kicked
Almost everyday
Only toward the end
And when Dad was away

He never knew a thing
But then again he didn't want to
I believe in the back of his mind
He always knew

I was so lonley
Depressed and sad
All I wanted was a normal family
And the love from my Dad

Awaking in the morning
Eyes swollen from tears
All the result of
Them having too many beers

Suicidle thoughts
Stuck in my mind
But when someone asked
I said I was fine

So much pain and sorrow
Heartbreak and despair
And all because I thought
No one was ever there

Then I met her
The savior of my life
She is my angel
My conquerer over strife

She fought for my life
When no one believed she could
How she got me out so fast
I never understood

And I'm alive today
Because the love she has given
She is my strength and hope
My reason for living