Once Too Often

We started married life with love and eager expectations, The future ours to live with verve and taste of world's sensations. And then the secrecy began along with sudden rages. Forgotten days togather ran as time closed empty pages. Where is the sweetness of the past? Where gone my ardent lover? I huddle in the darkened room and shiver under cover. He's quiet now. I rise to bathe my swollen, tear drained eyes. He'll wake to say he's sorry. I know now that he lies. The happiness I thought was ours, perhaps was truly never. My love has turned to fear and pain that can't be borne forever. Swiftly, I pack an over- night to run from all the pain. I know I'm worth more than he thought. I'll not be back again. By: Joyce Johnson For Michael J. Falotico's contest. "I'm worth more than you thought" Not my story. Strictly for the contest. But I have read in the news that one out of four women will be beaten by her husband or lover. Unbelievable and shameful.