Very deep and meaningful write,
and as usual very well penned.
it is a very dark place you write about here,
and one I have visited a couple of times myself,
it brings a lump to the throat reading it.
Thank you for sharing.
Steve

Your poetic words are so important, La Belle Rouge!

I hope this powerful poem gets read by many women -- and men.

When a woman values herself, she will choose to respect herself and give herself what her soul hungers for, I enjoyed your poem,
Ma Belle

I LIKE THE ENDING HERE BECAUSE, REALLY...THAT IS THE QUESTION. AND I THINK THE ANSWER IS...ALONE, ONE COULD NEVER PAY THE PRICE. BUT, WITH GOD, INDEED...THEY CAN. A FINE SHARING, MY FRIEND, THANK YOU LA BELLE. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Very direct, powerful, and wise words. I can imagine your last verse hanging on the Pearly Gates with entry based on our willingness to accept them. And where to you find your stunning portraits? Ed

Your words make me proud of us that "broke free"! Fantastic ink!!

Love ya!

Jane

Great words of wisdom for many who seek self help, but not for those who stubbornly stuck themselves in a bad situation. People need to first love themselves in order to seek the help from others. Self-esteem is an important thing. Beating and degrading oneself only asks for sympathy from others.

Sandie

Wow this was truly so heart wrenching La Belle but so true if some women would only tell themselves they are profoundly worthy!

Susan these are wise words indeed. People that lived it, know it. All others don't have a clue.

Jay

To me, you offer sound advice, Belle. I love your verses and the image that you chose to complement them. Love, peace, and best wishes to you,

Regis. 🙏🌸💛🦋💕

L0ve both the image and the sentiments that go along with this poetry of yours. Ironically it could apply to either male or female so it is easy to relate to it. It isn't always easy or cheap to take a plunge and do something we may not wish to do but sometimes we see through the fog and do what must be done holding our heads high and our emotions in control. Well done Belle.
fee

From what I know of you, Susan, you are a strong gifted soul who has paid a price, but who has emerged from her struggles filled with grace, understanding, and the kind of wisdom that could not have been gleaned any other way. John Newton proffered something that I strongly resonate with: "I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I want to be. I am not what I hope to be. But still, I am not what I used to be. And by the grace of God, I've become who I am. A revealing insight. Well done. r

There is nothing worse than a dysfunctional codependent relationship. Generally where the woman ends up with the worst and the deal. While it is very hard to leave such relationships, those that do find freedom they thought they would never have again.

Your poem speaks to the nobility of changing one's life "with grace." I would agree, the less one uses hysteria, threats or retaliation, the more graceful the translation will be.

When my wife found our situation untenable, I let her go freely. And have never criticized her for doing it. My mother warned me about her before we married, and my mother was right. We both ended up freer because of it. Although I believe now, she regrets leaving me for someone who would make her more secure, financially.

Ron

A poetic call for accountability not only for the women of grace, but for the populace of men who recognize that grace is not gender prone but does demand honesty... a trait many of both sexes try to ignore in their quest for dominance over the other. Yes, we are a species of bone and rock, a minor few breaking away to surround themselves with a gentler and most rewarding aura of the touch that secures the nod of trust. Well said.