Given up

I tried to help you but you just wouldn’t leave him
When I saw the abuse, my eyes filled to the brim
I pleaded and begged with you, tried to explain
But you chose to stay bowing down to his reign

One time when I came by, you had a black eye
You claimed to have fallen, but wouldn’t say why
Then one day when the two of us went fishing
You worried about your curfew and I was just wishing

That you’d feel free of those chains surrounding you
And enjoyed the freedom that I wanted to give you

But you feared him and his retribution
Despite my offering a resolution
I wanted so badly to take you in
But you felt leaving him would be a sin

In the end I finally had enough
I saw, for you to leave him was tough
I tried everything, and had given up
All I could do was hope you’d wake up

I’d given up the begging and pleading each time
And began to zone out when you would just whine
I’d given up my attempts at visiting you
Knowing that my visits would cause a blue

He’d yell at you because I came
He’d yell at you if you mentioned my name
He’d pinch you hard if you wanted to see me
He’d curse you out if you tried to ring me

I’d given up having you in my life
No longer my mum, but still not his wife
I’d given up the friendship we ever had
Good times were gone, new times were all bad

You just wouldn’t leave him, nothing else I could do
So in my mind you died, I mourned for you
I’d given up what family I ever had
To this day, those memories still make me sad

Then one day you showed up at my door
And asked, “Can we be friends once more?
“I’ve left him now, this time for good
I’m sorry I took so long.” I understood

His control changed her, she was a stranger now
Her moods were more dark, but I’d manage somehow
I’d given up the mother I once knew
But we could start fresh, our lives new

© – Carol Nemes

This was written in response to the #NovemberNotes challenge. (I know, I’m REALLY behind)

Today’s inspiration was Wreck of the Day – Anna Nalick