No Words

I was beaten into silence as a young
child from my father's brutalizing rage
and psychological torture.

When I was 5, a man exposed himself, to me
I ran fast terrified, no words spoken.

When I was 21 my boyfriend said, “I’m going to 
F-Up your pretty face so no one ever looks
at you again, with that, I had no words.

When the ER doc urged me to tell the Police
this boyfriend fractured my cheekbone and 
blackened my eyes, I had no words.

When riots broke out in high school, a large boy 
shoved me against the wall, his hands on my
throat, he yelled say something, I had no words.

When several powerful lawyers I worked
with made sexual comments, I quit instead
of finding my words.

When a careless driver struck me down
altering my life, as I lay in the street, 
a crowd around me, I had no words.

While visiting a relative, her drunken boyfriend 
kicked me in the eye almost detaching my 
retina, in court I cried, no words spoken.

At a club, drank soda, got dizzy; a guy put me
in his car, as I vomited; he threw me behind a building; 
I never spoke of this attempted rape.

When my ex-husband committed
emotional & physical crimes against me, 
I left without a word.

Still society has bullied me into silence otherwise 
risk the harsh judgment of their punishing 
remarks on my character.

Today, my words are not so eloquent,  
but they contain hard truths, as
God is always my Witness.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018



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Date: 2/8/2025 12:38:00 PM
I am thankful you have poetry and God as outlets to cope with your experiences. Praying for strength and wisdom as you arrest these detestable memories. Let us commiserate with Jesus when He said "Why hast thou forsaken Me?"
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Perna Avatar
Diane Perna
Date: 2/8/2025 12:54:00 PM
Thank you.
Date: 1/29/2023 12:09:00 AM
This is tough to read, but I pray that those things unspoken will tumble out and bring healing in their speaking. Thank you for the strength you have shown to share, Diane.
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Perna Avatar
Diane Perna
Date: 3/4/2023 2:34:00 PM
Thanks again for your kindness.
Date: 10/26/2021 6:28:00 AM
Wow. I felt what you've tried to convey in this poem. My heart goes out to you and the pain you've endured. Thank you for sharing your amazing words with us.
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Date: 9/9/2021 4:29:00 PM
Diane I feel all your anguish as I read this emotive revelations. Sometimes, silence speaks best when words are better left unsaid. When we are silent, God hears us most.
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Date: 3/31/2021 11:09:00 AM
Diane, I feel your pain, your heart ache and shame. I feel emotions yet unexplained- I too am a survivor- The only thing that has kept me going is the fact that God has been with me every step of this journey- I can tell that He has been with you too- Love your poems, although they made me cry and remember a time I can never forget- Stay strong and continue to put it down on paper-
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Date: 3/31/2021 10:02:00 AM
Very powerful poem Diane. Sorry you went through so much torture. May God bless you and your son.
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Date: 3/31/2021 9:13:00 AM
I'm sorry you had to go through this. You found your voice through this poem. Beautifully written, thank you for sharing. :-)
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Date: 2/15/2021 11:25:00 AM
Very poignant, Diane. A pleasure to find your beautiful poem published in the 2020 PS Anthology, Laura~ finally your words are speaking loudly ! saying ENOUGH ! A powerful poem ~
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