Battered and bruised

                          left with physical tattoo's.

                             Used and abused

                       mental numbness apparent.

                        Every noise creates panic

                         loud voices cause havoc.

                           What is self esteem...

                 when worthless you've been deemed.

                        Gentle compassionate love...

                           Ha!  Is like a fairy tale.

                          Nothing ever done right...

                          any reason to pick a fight.

                             Look...into their eyes

                            a void is what you'll find.

                         Going through the motions...

                         escaping becomes a notion.

                             So many have advice

                         to rescue and make things nice.

                           Do-gooders seem to forget

                           deception abusers possess.

                          The con has gone to school

                             they know just what to do.

                    The sick mind keeps you down and blue

                                destroying every clue.

                         Fear and paranoia are instilled

                                to immobilize your will.

                       Imprisoned...stripped of all that's right

                             Raped of the ability to fight.

                             So many hope and pray

                         that maybe, maybe one day...

                     The abused soul will find a way

                             say No!  I'm leaving...

                             No longer will I stay!