After the War

You cried and begged him to stay
	As I winced from my soul
Stifling a cry, too – only my tears
	Were from his treatment of you

You were silent in the days after he’d gone
	Looking past me instead of at me
Seeing something I could not, a ghost perhaps
	Of the time when you both laughed

Your hope, I could see, was lost in the past
	Where dread and darkness caressed
Shadows of your heart and soul, your love
	Which shed tears of loss that lingered on

Hues of gray mingled with your tears
	Touching me with the need I could feel
A poverty so deep and rich it begged for
	A breath of color to brighten your thoughts

Whispers of pain mingled with dismay at your condition
	Flowed rich with grief, mourning for this
Man who was filled with rage, racked with storms
	Breaking more than bones, but hearts and homes

You shine, like a dawn light, with insight and faith
	Grace that clings to the source of your love
A power higher than the one that left you lost and alone
	Silent as the sun – begging for mercy to come

He left you and I didn’t cry for him at all, was almost happy
	He was gone and I could see you shine like the sun
With your kindness and joy, your flavors of sweetness assuring
	My heart that he had left you with more love than loss

I, being the child of this marriage, this passion that vanished
	Was the only one, it seemed, to truly accept the fierce
Piercing truth that told everyone we knew we were better off
	Because he had never been the good man you deserved

He had been a cold, hard, heartless man of cynicism
	He had been dark and prayerless, like a stone
Who only knew to reach out to you with a yelling wave
	Of distrust, disdain, discouragement

For me, his leaving was a blessing to be thankful for
	You seemed sad, but I was glad
When he left, there was finally a peace to feel, relief
	Where there had only been a battleground

abuseangerangstmarriagefree verse

♡Like0

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Gershon Wolf

January 13, 2021 at 3:59 PM

I think that last stanza really sums the whole situation up quite rightly! From battleground to ... playground, let's hope. Cheers, Gershon

Indiana Shaw

January 13, 2021 at 2:43 AM

All from a childs point of view, you hit all the raw emotions left behind, a child that saw the true pain that his mother carried, yet strangely the mother may have only stayed in that relationship for that very same child, a very emotional write . . .

John Watt

January 12, 2021 at 9:50 PM

These are deep waters you have beautifully navigated, Gina. Honest and emotionally powerful, you focus on the grace, faith, and light. From start to finish this is powerful and amazing. Blessings to you, dear friend ~ John