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No More Coercive Control - FICTIONAL POEM

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Break the Silence Poetry Contest Sponsored By Ink Empress 03/10/25

From the moment we met he'd treated me like a princess I was young and naive flattered by his attention, misinterpreting it as a forever love Mum took an instant dislike to him She said he was like a chameleon and I should be wary of his dark side but I was too loved up to listen or too much in love In fact, it only made me want him more Within a month I'd moved into his flat Swapping girly nights out for cosy nights by a blazing fire He revamped my wardrobe threw out my sexy dresses preferring me to wear jeans Mum used to ring me but he told me to ignore her said she wanted to split us up I deleted her number from my phone Friends stopped calling me I always said I was too busy One night I burned the pizza and he went ballistic A black rage engulfed him His eyes flashed as dark as coals and his fists pummeled me like a volley of cannon balls Vivid, violet bruising covered my body He couldn’t see the scars in my heart and I doubt if he'd have cared He begged for forgiveness, said it would never happen again Like a fool I believed him I even blamed myself for ruining dinner Next morning, I put on a long-sleeved blouse painted on a smile and went to work It was then the cycle of abuse began Verbally, he’d fly into a rage sometimes over the slightest thing Then, physically which ended up with him using me like a punching bag One night, he went too far grabbed a hammer and beat me neighbours heard my screams and alerted the police … Hours later, I woke up in intensive care Mum was sitting by my side a look of sadness in her eyes instead of one that implied, "I told you so" I only wish I had listened to her

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Millard Lowe

Date: 3/26/2025 12:58:00 PM

A deep allegorical, awareness message about the true lives of so many; and yet some do not have this survival ending. A profound pen. Thanks for the share. One. Peace and Love.

Terry Miller

Date: 3/18/2025 3:06:00 AM

A powerful write that you have penned so well, congratulations

Jan Allison
Date: 3/18/2025 8:22:00 AM

Thanks Terry i am SO delighted to place in the contest! hugs jan xx

Ink Empress

Date: 3/17/2025 10:09:00 PM

Dear Jan, this is unfortunately the situation for many , and its so sad, really, iv seen this closely too happen to many i love, and so this one hits deep for me, as i can empathize. Unfortunately many are stuck in such abusive environments, thinking there is no other way: your opening lines show that you have also an emotional understanding of why these individuals initially fall for such charm, and the flow of your storytelling is really good! It is seamless! And it felt like i was watching a movie. And your quote on top is so true about narcissists. It feels like having experienced narcissists so much, in life, that so many of us are experts at depicting their moves especially when in abusive relationships. Congratulations on your win: and thank you for joining me to raise awareness! I felt this

Jan Allison
Date: 3/18/2025 8:20:00 AM

Thanks SO much for my placement. i really stepped out of my comfort zone to write this but soon after i finished it there was a news item about a lass (with a baby) who left her baby and mobile phone and committed suicide because of the toxic relationship she was in and sadly she felt it was her only way out. hugs jan xx

Edward Ebbs

Date: 3/13/2025 8:56:00 PM

This is sad and heart wrenching Jan. I am lost for words :( Aside from everything, you have done an awesome job with this write. Always Your Friend, Ed

Jan Allison
Date: 3/14/2025 2:55:00 AM

Thanks Edward. i much prefer writing humour but I felt compelled to write for this contest. Lovely to see you, I will drop by and read your latest poem:-) hugs Jan xx

Hilda Greenhough

Date: 3/11/2025 9:11:00 PM

This is about a frightening situation. I salute you for exposing this cruelty to women.

Jan Allison
Date: 3/14/2025 2:54:00 AM

so much goes on behind closed doors, bruises get covered up but the emotional impact is like a dagger in the heart:-( hugs jan xx

David Crandall

Date: 3/11/2025 5:47:00 PM

A sad story. It seems real, I had to go back and reread the title to remember it was fictional. I guess it could be real, as someone said, it is a lot of people's true story.

Jan Allison
Date: 3/14/2025 2:53:00 AM

Thanks David - its fictional for me, but sadly there are others who can relate to it. hugs Jan xx

Jerry Brotherton

Date: 3/11/2025 2:14:00 PM

Very powerful entry into the contest, my friend.

Jan Allison
Date: 3/14/2025 2:52:00 AM

Thanks Jerry:-) hugs jan xx

Deb M

Date: 3/11/2025 1:34:00 PM

A powerful write and very important message Jan so many have stories like this and its so sad and very scary! Well written my lovely friend! Debx

Jan Allison
Date: 3/14/2025 2:52:00 AM

Thanks Deb, it took me out of my comfort zone to write this in fact i kept starting it and then found it hard to finish, but I did it in the end:-) hugs Jan xx

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 3/11/2025 11:28:00 AM

It is never OK! A husband should love his wife and vice versa! When a person is talked away from kith and kin, that is a loud and clear sound, not to mention any kind of beating. You did well with this write!

Jan Allison
Date: 3/14/2025 2:51:00 AM

thanks Kim,- its all about control and manipulation:-( hugs jan xx

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 3/11/2025 10:02:00 AM

WOW!!! What a sad write you have here. No one likes to hear, "I told you so" even when it is true. "Good Luck" Have a fun day as you write away.................

Jan Allison
Date: 3/14/2025 2:51:00 AM

Thanks Paula, so often others can see it not the victim themselves:-( hugs Jan xx

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 3/11/2025 3:38:00 AM

- A poem of pure truth, Jan... so many who experience this... hide it for many years... they live a horrible life - GL in the contest :) - hugs

Jan Allison
Date: 3/14/2025 2:50:00 AM

Thanks Anne-Lise - i am writing on behalf of those too scared to speak out - the situation is all to real yet is goes on behind closed doors:-( hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham

Date: 3/10/2025 11:15:00 PM

Brilliant writing Jan, the narcissists are good at covering up their tracks, deceiving everyone. The victim forgiving them time and time again and staying in the toxic relationship that often ends tragically. Good luck in the contest. Tom

Jan Allison
Date: 3/14/2025 2:49:00 AM

agreed Tom - as we have witnessed - coercive control can also be seen in writing too:-( hugs jan xx

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib

Date: 3/10/2025 7:46:00 PM

That is somebody’s true story. xomo <3

Jan Allison
Date: 3/14/2025 2:48:00 AM

It is something I read of all too often in the press Mo:-( the day after I wrote it there was a trail of a guy who abused his girlfriend so badly she committed suicide:-( hugs jan xx

Tania Kitchin

Date: 3/10/2025 4:27:00 PM

Jan, a powerful poem, so well written. Parts of it reminds me of my first marriage. Luckily I got out of it before I was beaten or worse. Best of luck in the contest. A fav. - hugs

Jan Allison
Date: 3/10/2025 4:31:00 PM

I'm so sorry you can relate to it Tania, no one knows what goes on behind closed doors and how hard it is to escape from an abusive relationship. Hugs jan xx

Lin Lane

Date: 3/10/2025 3:47:00 PM

That's quite a chilling tale, Jan. I know it's not true, but I'm glad you prefaced it with that note. Sorrowfully, it's a despicable way of life for many. Narcissists are well honed at their skill. You did justice to portraying that hell hole of a life.

Jan Allison
Date: 3/10/2025 3:49:00 PM

Thanks Lin I went right out of my comfort zone to write this and we know that victimisers turn it round so the victim is made to feel responsible for the abuse - and verbal abuse can be as damaging as physical abuse but no one can see the scars in your heart:-( hugs jan x