Domestic Violence Awareness Month

To anyone who reads this post:

I lived through many years of domestic violence and know every word of this poem to be true. I thank God for delivering me from the clutches of death. This poem is dedicated to every sistah of every race and nation who has ever suffered physical, emotional, spiritual, or financial abuse.

I KNOW WHY YOU STAYED

I know how it feels when the hits don't hurt no more.
Cause you prepared yourself before he comes through the door.
I know why you stayed.

Cause the bruises no longer ache,
And what's another bone he decides to break.
Can't even leave for the kid's sake.
Sistah I know why you stayed.

The yelling and calling you outta your name.
The punching bag you somehow became.
The wanting to go but staying is insane.
But sistah I know why you stayed.

The black eyes and bruises make up can no longer hide.
The emptiness you always seem to feel inside.
The wishing and praying for restoration of your pride.
Sistah I know why you stayed.

Cause see he said you'll be nothing without him,
And if you left he'd make sure your life would end.
He'd kill you before the cops they'd send.
Sistah I know why you stayed.

Cause your self esteem is lower than low.
You feel you have no place else to go.
Belief in your self you no longer know.
So Sistah I know why you stayed.

See others can't begin to understand,
The love once shared between you and your man.
And maybe, just maybe, it could be that way again.
Sistah I know why you stayed.

Seems no healing for your spiritual contusions.
Even God loving you seems like an illusion.
So staying seems your final conclusion.
Sistah I know why you stayed.

With his hands around your neck and your breath slipping away,
You wonder if death will bring a brighter day.
For peace of mind death seems a small price to pay.
Sistah I know why you stayed

But I'm here to let you know a bit of good news.
There is a way out of your nightmarish blues.
The price you've been paying is beyond your dues.
But Sistah you no longer have to stay.

They say till death do a husband and wife part.
I no longer think that saying is very smart.
Think about it.

Till DEATH do you part
Till death do we PART
Till DEATH do YOU PART
The words have begin to break your heart.
Sistah don't let death be the Part.
Cause I'm one of the ones who found the courage to break away.
For your life's sake, sister I pray
Please don't stay yet another day.

Author Unknown