Freedom Poem by Danielle CarbonWilson

Sitting alone, under the star-filled sky,
I wish I could join them, up so high.
So free and dazzling, these heavenly hosts,
But that won't happen, I think with a sigh.

My small broken heart once so young and free
Innocent no more, sends out a soft plea,
To the God among those bright, twinkling stars:
"Please, I need you to guide and protect me."

Out of my eye, drops a stray glassy tear,
As I get up to leave and face my worst fear.
"Maybe daddy won't be too drunk tonight."
Who was I fooling, time to confront the nightmare.

There was still time to run far, far away,
So why, oh why, was I compelled to stay?
After all his broken promises, and pleas of mercy,
It's simple; I am his prisoner, his loyal prey.

I open the door, cautiously, quietly,
And run to my room, hoping he doesn't hear me.
I turn the rotting lock on my bedroom door,
Praying, that he cannot find his key.

I hear his footsteps, painfully slow,
So I hide under the bed, lying low.
"Come out, come out wherever you are! "
He opens the door slowly and bellows.

I can't help it, a whimper escapes me,
But I must try to control my anxiety.
It's too late anyway; I know he heard it,
For his charred, ugly feet, are all that I see.

He bends down on one knee and grabs my hair,
As I struggle to stop the cries of despair.
It will only make him madder, I tell myself,
So I send to God instead a quick, needy prayer.

He pulls me out by the hair on my head,
And slams me down onto my broken bed.
Broken, from all the nights of his torturous games,
All those nights, my heart filled with dread.



That's when I see them, three men standing near,
Swaying on their feet, their bodies full of beer.
Tonight, daddy won't be violating me alone...
No, he had to bring those damn drunkards here!

Something inside me withers and dies
I know now that all daddy's vows were lies
And as he puts on me, my best nightgown
Finally, FINALLY, I see through his disguise.

The men start to undress as daddy holds me down
I struggle and cry, I'm afraid, I'll have a meltdown!
The men walk towards me with lust in their eyes,
Then all four of them rip off my thin gown.

That small act alone sends me off in a rage,
And I feel my body hum with raw courage
I kick one of them in the groin and he falls
No longer will I be kept in this cage.

I fight back at those villainous monsters,
With all the strength my frail body could muster.
At last, my broken heart fills with unyielding hope,
As I break free from the clutches of my captors!

I run from the room and never look back,
But I know they're following me, ready to attack.
My feet pound on the ground as I run,
And narrowly escape daddy's great big WHACK!

With a yelp, I jump into the nearest store,
And quickly slam shut and lock the door.
As I yell, "Quick dial 9-1-1! "
I see daddy mouth, ‘I'll get you back Eleanor! "

I catch a glimpse of blue and red flashing lights,
And finally realize, this may be the night,
That I am free from daddy's vile abuse,
He should have known that I too, have rights.

The police arrive and take the men away,
As they walk to the car, they stumble and sway.
I am glad to see that they will all be punished,
For the disgusting acts they thought were okay.

And because I am no longer one of daddy's "tools",
I am free to live my life how I choose.
I've decided to reach for those very same stars,
And remind everyone that real men, don't abuse.